Swisher maintenance worker accused in generator scheme

A city maintenance worker in eastern Iowa has been charged with fraud, accused of a scheme involving a backup diesel generator owned by the city.

Cedar Rapids television station KGAN reports that 52-year-old Jeffrey Tonn is accused of putting the generator up for sale on an Internet site but misrepresenting that it wouldn't run.

Authorities say Tonn then bought the generator for $200 under an assumed name and soon posted another ad that said the generator was in excellent working condition and that its price was $7,500.

Investigators later found the generator at the city's sewer plant.

Tonn didn't immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press. It's unclear whether he has an attorney. Online court records don't yet list the case.