East St. Louis, IL – William Patrick “Pat” Clark, owner and operator of Clark Trucking and Excavation, LLC, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $273,118 in restitution after being convicted of defrauding the federal government and exploiting his employees. The verdict, delivered on January 24, 2014, followed a four-day trial in East St. Louis, Illinois, concluding a case brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency’s criminal enforcement program, though the charges stemmed from labor violations rather than environmental crimes.
Clark was found guilty on ten felony counts of making false statements, specifically violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3). The charges stemmed from a scheme to unlawfully profit from the I-64 Highway project, a federally-funded infrastructure undertaking. Evidence presented at trial revealed Clark knowingly submitted falsified paperwork claiming his employees were receiving prevailing wages as mandated by federal law.
Prosecutors demonstrated that Clark systematically underpaid his truck drivers, paying approximately $15 per hour – significantly less than the legally required $35.45 per hour (excluding approved fringe benefits). Nine of Clark’s drivers courageously testified during the trial, detailing the wage theft and confirming they never received the full compensation they were entitled to. Clark Trucking and Excavation, LLC, had collected around $1.6 million for its hauling work on the project, funds directly tied to the false wage certifications.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case began to unfold after an investigation uncovered discrepancies between the wages Clark Trucking claimed to pay and the actual earnings of its drivers. The EPA’s involvement, while unusual for wage theft cases, highlights the agency’s broader mandate to ensure accountability in federally-funded projects. The government argued that Clark’s false statements were not merely administrative errors, but deliberate attempts to deceive authorities and enrich himself at the expense of his workforce.
Affidavit and Restitution
Adding to the severity of the offense, Clark signed a sworn affidavit falsely attesting to his company’s compliance with labor laws regarding wage payments on the I-64 project. This act of perjury further solidified the prosecution’s case and contributed to the length of his sentence. The $273,118 restitution order aims to partially compensate the exploited drivers for the wages they were owed.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William Patrick “Pat” Clark
- Company: Clark Trucking and Excavation, LLC
- State: Illinois
- Year: 2014
- Charges: 10 felony counts of making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3))
- Sentence: 33 months incarceration
- Restitution: $273,118
- Wage Theft: Drivers paid ~$15/hr instead of mandated $35.45/hr
- Project: I-64 Highway Project (federally funded)
This case serves as a stark reminder that wage theft is a serious federal crime with significant consequences. Federal authorities continue to prioritize the prosecution of individuals and companies who attempt to defraud the government and exploit workers on public projects. GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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