Lynn Cable TV Worker Faces Fraud Charges

A Lynn man has been indicted on charges that he used bribery, fraud and identity theft to steal $34,000 while working for a cable television studio.

John F. Chapman was indicted Thursday and is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday. A court date has not been scheduled.

Chapman tells The Daily Item that the indictment is "a witch hunt." His lawyer says he denies the allegations.

Police Chief Kevin Coppinger says investigators worked for eight months following a financial trail that found "a pattern of impropriety."

Authorities allege Chapman forged more than $13,000 in checks from Lynn Community Access Media, and stole $21,000 in equipment from the studio.

He also allegedly accepted bribes from an electrician with the understanding that Chapman would award the individual electrical work.