Former Rockford City Official Indicted on Corruption Charges
By: Scott Picken
Updated: January 22, 2013
ROCKFORD -- A former official with the City of Rockford has been indicted in federal court on corruption charges. Prosecutors allege that 57-year-old Mark Bixby of Rockton committed mail fraud, bribery, extortion and lied to federal investigators while Energy Director for the city.
The federal indictment alleges Bixby defrauded contractors for the home weatherization programs for Winnebago and Boone Counties, which were funded to help low-income residents save money on energy costs. He is accused of stealing more than $53,000 during the nearly four years he ran the program. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Bixby will be arraigned on Monday, January 28th in the federal courthouse in Rockford.
