Ex-Army Corps Worker Tracey Sellers Accused of Lying to Feds

Grimsby, FL – Tracey Jordan Sellers, a former civilian employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has been charged by information with making a false official statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). The 49-year-old from Duval County now faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Sellers, who previously worked for the consulting company with ongoing business ties to the Army Corps, is accused of making false statements about her performance during an interview with federal law enforcement agents. Federal ethics laws and regulations strictly prohibit federal employees from engaging in outside employment that conflicts with their official duties.

U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida, along with Colonel Andrew D. Kelly, Jr., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Casey Oravetz, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration; Andres Castro, Special Agent in Charge, Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division; and Frank Robey, Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, announced the charges.

Ms. Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of various agencies involved, including the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Enforcement Division, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Raich is handling the case.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in public service. An information is merely an accusation, and Sellers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. For more information on related court documents, visit www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.