GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Federal prosecutors have dropped the hammer on Evans Landscaping, Inc., and its top brass, charging them with wire fraud and conspiracy in a staggering bid to swindle city and state funds.
Company owner Doug Evans, 55, of Cincinnati, and vice president Jim Bailey, 49, also from the Queen City, are accused of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded public entities through fraudulent small business and minority business contracts. Both men face multiple counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to authorities, Evans Landscaping, which operates out of Cincinnati, was far from eligible for the programs it claimed to participate in. The company’s size and ownership disqualified it as a small business enterprise (SBE) or minority business enterprise (MBE), yet it still managed to secure contracts designed for these specific classifications.
The investigation revealed that Evans Landscaping funneled funds through Ergon Site Construction, LLC—a demolition firm with an African-American male owner who had no prior experience in the field. The company allegedly received certifications as an SBE, MBE, and EDGE contractor while hiding Evans Landscaping’s control over it.
Evans is accused of providing at least $85,000 to Ergon and controlling its finances, including bookkeeping on Evans Landscaping’s internal accounting database. Jordan was reportedly given little authority, with all significant decisions requiring approval from Doug Evans.
The grand jury’s unsealing of the indictment brings a long-awaited end to this fraudulent operation, as federal law enforcement agencies and state officials work together to protect public funds and ensure fair competition for legitimate businesses.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News