An investigation into theft of funds from local construction companies has landed two men in jail - one of them for the second time, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Mark Everett Williams, 38, and Billy Wilson, 41, were arrested Monday for stealing $14,450 from Commercial Construction & Development. Williams was a project manager for the company and approved fraudulent invoices to be paid to Wilson for services rendered by other sub-contractors. Both men were booked into Caddo Correctional Center for felony theft.

Wilson was also charged on Monday with the theft of $1.5 million from McInnis Brothers Construction. Williams was arrested in August for the theft from McInnis Brothers Construction.

The stolen money from Commercial Construction & Development was discovered during an investigation by Sheriff's Detective Yomeka Evans into the theft from McInnis Brothers Construction. Williams worked for McInnis after working for Commercial Construction & Development.

Wilson is the owner of Wilson’s Cleaning Service. Between January 2009 and August 2010, he submitted invoices for $1.5 million to McInnis Brothers Construction and was paid by the company. All of the invoices were approved by Williams. The investigation determined that a large number of the invoices were fraudulent and were submitted for services never rendered.

Wilson told investigators that he gave Williams blank invoices and then waited for his checks to arrive. He said he always was paid more than he was owed, and in return, he paid Williams $8,000 to $9,000 per check.

Both men are currently being held at CCC without bond.