https://www.wbrc.com/2024/11/19/alabama-man-accused-sophisticated-fraud-scheme-targeting-state-tennessee/

A man from Pelham is accused of participating in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme targeting the State of Tennessee.

Wilbert Cannaday is charged with theft and money laundering. He was indicted by a Grand Jury in Davidson County, Tenn. in June.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began investigating earlier this year after being contacted by “the victim organization” which reported $26 million in losses. The TBI did not name the victim, but according to court records, Cannaday is accused of defrauding the State of Tennessee.

The indictment does not specify the state agency impacted in this suspected scheme.

State agents believe Cannaday was “involved in a coordinated effort to convince at least two employees of the organization to change bank routing information and fraudulently divert payments,” according to a TBI news release.

Agents did not share how they believe Cannaday accomplished this, and did not respond to a WBRC 6 News request for more information, but called the crime “sophisticated” when announcing the charges.

Cannaday was arrested in October 2023 in Shelby County on domestic violence charges and was out on bond when Tennessee officials allege he committed these crimes.

Shelby County prosecutors filed a motion for his bond to be revoked in October 2024, and he was held without bond until extradited to Davidson County, Tenn. on these new charges, according to court records.

TBI said it was able to recover $20 million lost, and are working to get back all the money stolen.