ALEXANDRIA, La. – A former Sicily Island utilities supervisor had his first appearance in U.S. District Court Tuesday on three counts of mail fraud.

Albert E. &uot;Kaline&uot;&160;Patten, 57, of Louisiana 913 in Sicily Island, was indicted on the charges by a grand jury Sept. 23, U.S. Attorney Mike Skinner announced in a Tuesday press conference.

The indictment states that a contractor was awarded a contract to install gas, water and sewage at Sicily Island Medical Center. The customer was only required to pay a deposit. The village provided meters and connections without additional charge.

The indictment also states that in 1998, Patten allegedly told the contractor that the water connection would cost $650 plus parts and the gas connection would cost $1,400. In July, Patten allegedly got the contractor to pay him $1,075 for the water connection.

Patten also allegedly caused the Village of Sicily Island to mail a refund check for $1,400 and an invoice for $1,400 to the contractor. The check was then mailed to an associate of Patten. Patten faces a jail term of up to five years without parole and a $250,000 fine on each count.