William Pritula, Bribes and Kickbacks, Michigan 2014

Government Corruption

ROMULUS, Mich. – William Pritula, 69, of Romulus, pleaded guilty to paying over $5 million in bribes and kickbacks to a field inspector at the Wayne County Airport Authority, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Pritula, who owned and operated Pritula and Sons, a company that sought and entered into contracts for pavement repair and replacement, as well as water main repair and fire hydrant installation and maintenance at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, participated in a scheme in which Warner, with Pritula’s knowledge, would draft and submit fraudulently-inflated invoices for work which Pritula was contracted to perform at the airport.

Upon payment by the WCAA to Pritula, Pritula would kickback roughly half of the profits to Warner—a total of over $5 million over four years. Thus far, law enforcement has seized $11.4 million in criminal proceeds, including $7.5 million from Pritula and $3.9 million from Warner.

The bribery charge to which Pritula has pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Pritula’s guilty plea is a major victory for the FBI and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, who have been investigating this case since 2010.

United States Attorney Matthew Schneider said, “Today’s guilty plea to one of the largest bribes prosecuted to date in the Eastern District of Michigan, reinforces our continued commitment to protecting our citizens from the fraud, waste, and abuse that stems from bribe-paying contractors who are motivated by greed rather than a desire to improve our public infrastructure.”

William Pritula, the defendant, has pleaded guilty to paying over $5 million in bribes and kickbacks to a field inspector at the Wayne County Airport Authority. The bribery charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Pritula owned and operated Pritula and Sons, a company that sought and entered into contracts for pavement repair and replacement, as well as water main repair and fire hydrant installation and maintenance at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The exact date of the crime was between May of 2010 and August of 2014. Law enforcement has seized $11.4 million in criminal proceeds, including $7.5 million from Pritula and $3.9 million from Warner.