Related Federal Cases
Chatham Area Transit Contractor Convicted of Fraud and Bribery
A federal jury in Savannah, Georgia, convicted Anthony Florence, a contractor for the Chatham Area Transit Authority (“CAT”), on twenty-two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of bribery of a program receiving federal funds. Florence, 36, was found guilty on February 28, 2018, after a three-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge William T. Moore.
Prosecutors allege that Florence paid bribes and kickbacks to Chadwick L. Reese, formerly the Executive Director of CAT, and Joel T. Morris, formerly the Director of Maintenance of CAT. According to court documents, Florence paid for over $100,000 worth of work on the personal residences of Reese and Morris. In exchange, Reese awarded contracts to a company operated by Florence over a period of nearly two years. Despite providing little to no work, Reese and Morris approved over $200,000 in payments by Chatham Area Transit to Florence’s company.
Reese and Morris previously pled guilty and were sentenced to 84 months and 20 months in prison, respectively. United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine praised the conviction, stating, “The lesson for contractors doing business in South Georgia is simple: paying a public official to obtain ‘no show’ work is a good way to end up in federal prison. This office will aggressively root out corruption at every level of government.”
David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, added, “Just because public officials are willing to violate the trust of the people they serve, doesn’t mean contractors can take advantage of their lack of integrity. The FBI will continue to make public corruption cases, and all of those involved, a priority. We ask anyone with information regarding such matters to contact their nearest FBI field office or resident agency.”
The FBI investigation into the case was led by Special Agent Joshua Hayes. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Brian Tanner and J. Thomas Clarkson prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
The case is a stark reminder of the corrupting influence of power and the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions. As the investigation and prosecution of Florence demonstrates, those who engage in bribery and other forms of corruption will be held accountable and face serious consequences.
Florence’s conviction sends a clear message to contractors and public officials alike: corruption will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face the full force of the law.
RELATED: Anthony Florence Convicted in CAT Bribery Scheme
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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