Related Federal Cases
Energy Scientist Ditches $80k to End False Billing Scam
Dr. Miguel A. Contreras, a senior scientist at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado, has settled allegations that he knowingly double-billed his work-time and submitted false timesheets and travel reimbursement forms to his employer while privately consulting for three energy companies.
The National Renewable Energy Lab, owned by the Department of Energy, is managed and operated by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy under contract to the Department of Energy.
According to the Government, Dr. Contreras improperly used his NREL work-time, the work-time of other NREL employees, NREL-owned equipment, and NREL-owned resources for his own personal financial gain while consulting with three private energy companies. The United States found that Dr. Contreras knowingly submitted false timesheets and travel reimbursement claims to fraudulently “double-bill” his time without seeking the proper approvals from his NREL supervisors.
This conduct occurred on numerous occasions during 2008 through 2009. In the settlement agreement, Dr. Contreras acknowledges that had this matter gone to trial, the United States would be able to prove these facts by a preponderance of the evidence.
The government further asserted that Dr. Contreras also misled his supervisors and investigators about the nature of his private consulting work. As a result of these acts, the United States claimed that Dr. Contreras committed up to thirty-seven separate violations of the False Claims Act.
This matter was investigated by the Department of Energy’s Office of the Inspector General, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Licht-Steenfat and Chris Larson handled this matter on behalf of the government.
Dr. Contreras has paid $80,000 to settle the allegations, a fraction of the potential penalties he could have faced if the case went to trial.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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