Evans Landscaping Former Employees Indicted for Defrauding Public Entities
CINCINNATI, Ohio – In a shocking turn of events, three former employees of Evans Landscaping have pleaded guilty to charges related to defrauding the City of Cincinnati and other public entities through fraudulent small business and minority business contracts.
The three former employees, Maurice Patterson, Michael Moeller, and John Dietrich, each pleaded guilty to involvement in a scheme to defraud public entities.
According to documents filed with their guilty pleas, Maurice Patterson and Michael Moeller conspired with others between 2008 and 2014 to create a company, Ergon Site Construction, LLC, to serve as a fraudulent Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) company for the benefit of Evans Landscaping in obtaining public contracts.
John Dietrich became aware of the conspiracy and scheme to defraud and helped conceal the crime in 2013.
The investigation into this case was led by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents from the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan and Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter.
The guilty pleas were entered in U.S. District Court before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.
The defendants face serious consequences for their actions. Maurice Patterson and Michael Moeller each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution. John Dietrich pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government contracting.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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