Greenwood man accused of defrauding company of $2.7 million

A Greenwood man is facing federal charges after prosecutors said he took more than $2.7 million from his former employer.

Troy L. Sissom, 52, was charged with mail fraud and making a false tax return. He could face up to 20 years in prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sissom worked for F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company as a project manager.

In 2003, investigators found that Sissom created a company and then created false invoices and submitted them to his employer for payment. The invoices were supposed to be for materials for construction projects Sissom was overseeing, the release said.

The checks were mailed to a post office box Sissom opened and deposited them into an account for the company he created, the release said.

Between 2003 and 2015, investigators found the company lost more than $2.7 million. The IRS also lost $381,000 in taxes, the release said.

In addition to prison time, Sissom would also be required to repay Wilhelm Construction and the unpaid taxes, the release said.