3 sentenced in fraud scheme at Shaw Air Force Base

SUMTER, S.C. (AP) — Three men have been sentenced to federal prison as part of a scheme to defraud Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter through construction contracts.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles says James Autry Clemens of Johnston, Larry Baker of Cameron and Steven Crandall of Salisbury, North Carolina, were sentenced in federal court Tuesday. Clemens was sentenced to four years in prison. Baker got just more than a year, and Crandall was sentenced to five months in prison.

In October, the men pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. Clemens also pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Prosecutors say the men inflated costs of construction projects by submitting invoices that falsely claimed additional workers and resources were used to complete construction jobs on the base, then split the payments among themselves.