The grimy halls of the VA Medical Center were hit with another shock wave as William D. Montague, the former director of both the Cleveland and Dayton facilities, pleaded guilty to a massive bribery scheme.
Montague, 61, from Brecksville, Ohio, was caught in a two-year investigation that revealed his sinister plan to enrich himself using his position as a public official. The charges against him include Hobbs Act conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud, and disclosing public contract information, among others.
According to the DOJ USAO, Montague worked as a consultant for a design firm bidding on VA jobs while still employed by the VA. He is accused of taking cash and other valuable items in exchange for confidential information about construction projects and favorable treatment for the firm.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the FBI, which has been relentless in its pursuit of corrupt officials at the expense of our nation’s veterans. Montague is scheduled to be sentenced on May 20, with an agreed-upon payment of over $390,000 in restitution and forfeiture.
Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office, expressed satisfaction with Montague’s acceptance of responsibility and the significant amount being returned to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
The indictment details Montague’s secret solicitation of funds and consulting contracts from the design firm in exchange for information beneficial to their pursuit of VA contracts. His actions were deliberate and greedy, as he sought to give an unfair advantage to Business 75, a company that performed work directly for the VA through various agreements.
Related Federal Cases
- Georgia’s Crabtree & Donnan Hit with 85-Count Ponzi Scheme Indictment · Georgia
- Berea Contractor Ferris Kleem Gets Three-Year Prison Sentence for Bribery · Ohio
- Toledo Doc Gets 5 Years for Oxycodone Scheme · Ohio
- Cleveland VA Director Montague Hit with 65-Count Superseding Indictment · Ohio
- Bowling Green Man Charged With VA Fraud Scheme · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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