Okland Construction, False Statements and False Claims, Utah 2014

Utah Construction Firm Busted for False Claims
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Okland Construction Company, a large construction firm, has agreed to pay the government $928,000 to resolve allegations that it made false statements and submitted false claims under the Small Business Administration's Section 8(a) Program for Small and Disadvantaged Businesses.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah, Okland Construction entered into a mentor-protégé agreement with Saiz Construction, a participant in the 8(a) program. However, the government alleged that Okland had not formed a qualifying joint venture with Saiz, and as a result, had fraudulently obtained access to contracts set aside for small businesses.

“Financial recoveries are a critical part of the mission to hold those who violate the law accountable for the injury they cause to crime victims and the general public. This office takes that responsibility very seriously and will continue to aggressively pursue compensation from those who commit crimes and civil wrongs to ensure that the wrongdoers – not the public – bear the costs of unlawful conduct here in Utah,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $11,871,702 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2014, which is used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. The office also paid $1,650,252 in forfeited funds to crime victims for restitution and shared $566,684 with local law enforcement agencies who participated in the prosecution of federal cases.

“Every day, the federal prosecutors and trial attorneys work hard to protect our citizens, to safeguard precious taxpayer resources, and to provide a valuable return on investment to the American people,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Their diligent efforts are enabling us to achieve justice and recoup losses in virtually every sector of the U.S. economy. And it shows the fruits of the Justice Department's tireless work in enforcing federal laws; in protecting the American people from violent crime, national security threats, discrimination, exploitation, and abuse; and in holding financial institutions accountable for their roles in causing the 2008 financial crisis.”

The District of Utah collected $4,335,105.35 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 related to criminal and civil actions. Of this amount, $1,593,778.34 was collected in criminal actions and $2,741,327.01 was collected in civil actions. The U.S. Attorney's Office is responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and restitution owed to federal crime victims.

Okland Construction Company, False Statements and False Claims, Utah 2014

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-u-s-attorney-s-office-collects-433510535-through-civil-and-criminal-actions-fiscal