Ryan Lee Mower, Pay-to-Play Bribery Scheme, Utah 2023

A shocking bribery scheme has been exposed at the Utah FedEx Ground hub, with four indictments unsealed in U.S. District Court on Monday afternoon. The indictments allege that several trucking companies in Utah paid more than $1 million in bribes to Ryan Lee Mower, the highest-ranking employee at the hub from 2008 to October 2019.

Mower, 47, of Bountiful, Utah, was responsible for overseeing contracts with local trucking companies and ensuring they complied with FedEx Ground policies and regulations. However, the indictments claim that Mower accepted bribes in exchange for favoring certain trucking companies, allowing them to exploit the system and gain an unfair advantage.

According to charging documents, five co-conspirators received approximately $150 million in FedEx Ground revenue and paid $300,000 in bribes to Mower. The scheme allegedly involved fraudulent practices such as obtaining runs, allowing unauthorized runs to continue, boosting miles, and receiving payment for 'ghost runs.'

U.S. Attorney John W. Huber stated, 'Fair play, honest dealings, and transparency are core values in the American business landscape. Bribery and corrupt practices are not.' The FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office also released a statement, saying, 'The FBI will never turn a blind eye to those who operate fraudulently because legitimate businesses should be allowed to compete on fair and level playing fields.'

The indictment charges Mower and nine others with various crimes, including bribery, conspiracy, and mail fraud. If convicted, they could face significant prison time and fines.

Defendant: Ryan Lee Mower
Criminal Charges: Bribery, Conspiracy, Mail Fraud
City and State: Salt Lake City, Utah
Exact Date: Monday, [current date]
Sentence or Outcome: Pending
Dollar Amounts: $1,050,000 in bribes, $150,000,000 in FedEx Ground revenue

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/indictments-unsealed-alleging-pay-play-bribery-scheme-manager-trucking-companies-utah