Christopher Grimsley, Mail Fraud, Missouri 2010

Kansas City, MO – A former construction director at Aimco Apartment Management was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale bid-rigging scheme that netted him over half a million dollars in illegal kickbacks. Christopher Grimsley, 41, received a 41-month incarceration sentence on December 7, 2010, following a guilty plea entered on June 3, 2010.

Grimsley, who served as Director of Construction for Aimco, was responsible for overseeing bids for renovation projects at apartment complexes throughout the Western District of Missouri and beyond. Between May 2003 and May 2009, court documents reveal Grimsley systematically accepted approximately $538,340.83 in kickbacks from various contractors operating in the Kansas City area. In return for these illicit payments, Grimsley manipulated the bidding process, ensuring that the participating contractors were favored – all without the knowledge or consent of his employer, Aimco.

The scheme involved Grimsley intentionally steering contracts towards specific contractors who had provided the kickbacks. This practice effectively eliminated fair competition, inflating costs for Aimco and defrauding the company out of significant funds. Federal investigators believe the kickbacks were a direct incentive for Grimsley to prioritize certain contractors over others, regardless of the quality or price of their bids.

Legal Ramifications

Grimsley was charged with and ultimately pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, a violation of Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Section 1341 (18 U.S.C. 1341). This federal statute prohibits the use of the mail to execute a fraudulent scheme. The penalty for mail fraud can include imprisonment, fines, and restitution. In Grimsley’s case, the court ordered him to pay $538,340.13 in restitution, to be shared jointly and severally with other involved parties, including $311,976.74 to Aimco and $226,363.39 to CRES Management.

Connection to Brinkle Construction

This case is also linked to a separate criminal prosecution involving Brinkle Construction, documented in Fiscal Year 2013 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While details of the connection remain limited in publicly available records, the cross-reference suggests a broader pattern of fraudulent activity within the construction industry in the Kansas City region. Authorities have not detailed the nature of the connection between the two cases, but it indicates a potential network of collusion and corruption.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Christopher Grimsley
• Crime: Bid Rigging, Mail Fraud
• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Years Active: 2003-2009
• Kickback Total: $538,340.83
• Sentence: 41 months incarceration, 36 months probation
• Restitution: $538,340.13 (jointly and severally)
• Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1341

Federal authorities continue to investigate potential related cases stemming from this investigation, emphasizing a commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring fair competition in the construction sector. The Grimsley case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of defrauding businesses and undermining the integrity of the bidding process.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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