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DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
The Grand Jury in and for the District of New Jersey, sitting at Newark, charges as follows: COUNT ONE: 18 U.S.C. §371 INTRODUCTION 1. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated:
2. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated, defendant JOHN A. BENNETT (hereinafter "BENNETT") was the Chairman of the Board of Bennett Environmental, Inc. (hereinafter "BEI"). BENNETT was also the Chief Executive Officer of BEI until approximately February 2004. BEI is a corporation existing under the laws of Canada with its main office located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. BEI transported, treated and disposed of contaminated soils as a sub-contractor for P-C at Federal Creosote. 3. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated, Z.T., a co-conspirator not named as a defendant herein, was the Vice President of Business Development of BEI. 4. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated, R.P.G., a co-conspirator not named as a defendant herein, held a number of sales and marketing positions for BEI in which he was responsible for projects within the United States. Overview of Federal Creosote 5. Federal Creosote, which was designated by the EPA as a Superfund site, occupies approximately 53 acres in a highly developed residential/commercial area in the Borough of Manville in Somerset County, New Jersey. The area was contaminated through the operation of a wood processing facility that treated railroad ties with coal tar creosote, from approximately 1910 to the mid 1950s. Coal tar creosote is a wood preservative that may cause skin irritation and respiratory problems.
Overview of the Procurement Process 6. Pursuant to an interagency agreement between the EPA and the USACE, the USACE oversaw the procurement process for sub-contractors used by P-C at the site. Under the terms of Contracts One and Two, P-C was required to award sub-contracts at Federal Creosote subject to a competitive bidding policy under the Federal Acquisition Regulation system (hereinafter "FAR"). The purpose of the FAR's bidding policy was to ensure that P-C obtained supplies and services at competitive, fair market prices. Pursuant to a "Request for Proposals", P-C was required to solicit at least three competitive bids before entering into any sub-contract for supplies or services in excess of $5,000, and award those sub-contracts to the bidder offering the best value, based on cost, quality and timeliness. However, in late 2003, pursuant to an "Invitation for Bids" USACE required P-C to award a certain sub-contract for the removal, treatment and disposal of contaminated soils to the lowest bidder. 7. The FAR prohibited kickbacks from a sub-contractor to a prime contractor for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a sub-contract relating to a prime contract. 8. The FAR also prohibited disclosure of a competitor's bid information from a prime contractor to a sub-contractor before the award of a Federal agency procurement contract to which the bid information relates. 9. McDONALD was responsible for soliciting bids from vendors for sub-contracts in excess of $5,000 and otherwise ensuring that P-C's procurement process at Federal Creosote was in accordance with the FAR. THE CONSPIRACY 10. From approximately December 2001 until approximately August 2004, the exact dates being unknown to the United States, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendants GORDON D. McDONALD and knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed with each other, Z.T., R.P.G., and others to:
MEANS AND METHODS OF THE CONSPIRACY 11. Among the means and methods employed by McDONALD and BENNETT to carry out the conspiracy and effect the unlawful objects set forth above were those set forth in Paragraphs 12 through 16 below. Kickbacks to a Prime Contractor and Fraudulently Inflated Bid Prices 12. It was a part of the conspiracy that BENNETT, Z.T., and R.P.G. provided kickbacks to McDONALD, Company-1 and certain other employees of P-C, who were co-conspirators. BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. provided kickbacks in order to influence the award of sub-contracts by P-C for the treatment, removal and disposal of contaminated soil by BEI at Federal Creosote. 13. It was a further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD, BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. fraudulently inflated the amount of BEI's bid price for a sub-contract without USACE's knowledge, consent, or authorization. This fraudulently inflated amount included kickbacks BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. made to McDONALD, Company-1, and certain other employees of P-C, who were co-conspirators, plus an amount that BEI kept for itself. McDONALD caused P-C to include the fraudulently inflated amount as part of the costs it charged to the EPA under Contract One for work performed by BEI. 14. BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. provided kickbacks to Company-1 via wire transfers from BEI's bank account in Canada to Company-1's bank account in New Jersey. McDONALD issued false Company-1 invoices to BEI as a means of concealing the true nature of the kickbacks. 15. BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. also provided kickbacks to McDONALD and certain other employees of P-C, who were co-conspirators, that included but were not limited to trips, entertainment tickets, pharmaceuticals and wine. Fraudulent Disclosure of Competitors' Bid Prices 16. It was a further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD fraudulently disclosed the bid prices of other vendors to BEI before the sub-contracts were awarded by P-C without USACE's knowledge, consent, or authorization. BENNETT, Z.T. and R.P.G. then used their knowledge of the other vendors' bid prices to submit the highest possible BEI prices to P-C and still be awarded the sub-contracts. As a result, BEI was awarded the sub-contracts at prices higher than it would have otherwise bid, causing the EPA to pay more for these sub-contracts than it otherwise would have if the FAR requirements were followed under Contract One and Contract Two. OVERT ACTS 17. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal object thereof, McDONALD, BENNETT and others known and unknown, committed the following overt acts, among others, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere:
ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION
371.
COUNT TWO: 18 U.S.C. §1031 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 9 and 12 through 16 of Count 1 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. 2. On or about May 15, 2002, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, the defendants GORDON D. McDONALD and knowingly and willfully executed and attempted to execute a scheme and artifice with the intent to defraud the United States, namely the EPA, and with the intent to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, by McDONALD and BENNETT causing BEI to submit a fraudulently inflated bid price to P-C, which enabled BEI to be awarded the sub-contract at a price higher than it would have otherwise bid in the procurement of property and services as a prime contractor with the United States and as a sub-contractor in connection with Contract One, the value of which contract was $1 million or more. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1031(a). COUNT THREE: 18 U.S.C. §1956(h) 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 9, and 12 through 16 of Count 1 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. INTRODUCTION 2. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated, R.P.G. owned Discount Canadian Pharmaceuticals, d/b/a DCP Technical Services, Inc. (hereinafter "DCP"). THE CONSPIRACY 3. From approximately February 2003 until approximately September 2004, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed with R.P.G. and others to transport, transmit, and transfer funds, that is approximately $207,000 from a place in the United States to and through a place outside the United States with the intent to promote the carrying on of specified unlawful activity, namely wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, contrary to Title 18 United States Code, Section 1956(a)(2)(A). MEANS AND METHODS OF THE CONSPIRACY 4. Among the means and methods employed by McDONALD to carry out the conspiracy and effect the unlawful objects set forth above were those set forth in Paragraphs 5 through 7 below. 5. It was part of the conspiracy that in approximately February 2003, McDONALD and R.P.G. agreed that R.P.G. would receive a portion of McDONALD's kickbacks being sent by wire transfer from BEI to Company-1, as described in Paragraphs 10, 12 and 14 of Count 1, as part of the fraud and kickback scheme described in Count 1. 6. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD directed R.P.G. to submit false and fraudulent invoices from DCP to Company-1 for wetlands analyses that were never performed. Thereafter, McDONALD paid DCP by Company-1 checks and wire transfers from Company-1's First Union National Bank account # xxxxxxxxx9793 located in New Jersey to DCP's accounts # xxxxxxxx3612 and # xxxxxxxxxx6260 at Royal Bank of Canada located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. 7. These transactions occurred on or about the following dates:
ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1956(h). COUNT FOUR: 15 U.S.C. §1 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. INTRODUCTION 2. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated:
TRADE AND COMMERCE 3. From approximately October 2002 until approximately June 2005, pursuant to sub-contracts that are the subject of this Count, P-C awarded approximately $242,800 in sub-contracts for wastewater treatment supplies and services to JMJ. 4. During the period covered by this Count, JMJ provided wastewater treatment supplies and services to P-C, including granulated activated carbon obtained from distributors located outside the State of New Jersey pursuant to the sub-contracts that are the subject of this Count, which were shipped across state lines, in a continuous and uninterrupted flow of interstate commerce. Granulated activated carbon is used in wastewater treatment plants to filter hazardous chemicals. 5. The activities of McDONALD, N.S., J.D., A.S., and M.F. with respect to the sale of wastewater treatment supplies and services to P-C, including the sale of granulated activated carbon pursuant to sub-contracts that are the subject of this Count, were within the flow of, and substantially affected, interstate trade and commerce. DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFENSE 6. From approximately October 2002 until approximately June 2005, the exact dates being unknown to the United States, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD engaged in a combination and conspiracy in unreasonable restraint of trade and commerce contrary to Section 1 of the Sherman Act (Title 15, United States Code, Section 1). 7. The aforesaid combination and conspiracy consisted of a continuing agreement, understanding, and concert of action among McDONALD, N.S., J.D., A.S., and M.F. the substantial terms of which were to rig bids and allocate sub-contracts for wastewater treatment supplies and services to P-C at Federal Creosote. 8. For the purpose of forming and effectuating the aforesaid combination and conspiracy, McDONALD, N.S., J.D., A.S., and M.F. did those things which they combined and conspired to do, including, among other things:
9. As a result of the aforementioned conspiracy, the EPA paid more for the wastewater treatment supplies and services it purchased pursuant to the sub-contracts that are the subject of this Count than it would have had the sub-contracts been awarded pursuant to truly competitive bidding, or otherwise competitive pricing. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 10. The aforesaid combination and conspiracy was formed and carried out, in part, within the District of New Jersey within the five years preceding the filing of this Information. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 15, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1. COUNT FIVE: 18 U.S.C. § 371 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1, 5 through 9 of Count 1 and Paragraph 2 of Count 4 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. Overview of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site (hereinafter "Diamond Alkali") 2. Diamond Alkali is an EPA designated Superfund site in Newark, New Jersey. The site was divided into three geographic regions: the 80 and 120 Lister Avenue properties, the Lower Passaic River Study Area and the Newark Bay Study Area. The EPA initiated emergency remedial action in 1983 with respect to the Lister Avenue properties. An interim remediation plan was later implemented under a consent decree between Tierra Solutions, Inc. ("Tierra Solutions"), the EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the Lister Avenue properties whereby, under USACE oversight, Tierra Solutions would be financially responsible for the remedial action and maintenance of the site. Remedial action began in approximately April 2000 when P-C was selected by Tierra Solutions as the general contractor for the site. 3. McDONALD and N.S. were responsible for acquiring supplies and services in connection with purchases less than $5,000 at Diamond Alkali. Sub-contracts above $5,000 were usually awarded by McDONALD and/or officials in the Niagara Falls, NY office of P-C. THE CONSPIRACY 4. From approximately January 2002 until approximately April 2007, the exact dates being unknown to the United States, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed with J.D., N.S. and others to:
MEANS AND METHODS OF THE CONSPIRACY 5. Among the means and methods employed by McDONALD, J.D. and N.S. to carry out the conspiracy and effect the unlawful objects set forth above were those set forth in Paragraphs 6 through 8 below. 6. It was a part of the conspiracy that J.D. provided kickbacks to Company-1, McDONALD and N.S. in order to influence the award of sub-contracts by P-C for wastewater treatment supplies and services to JMJ at Federal Creosote and Diamond Alkali. 7. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD, J.D. and N.S. fraudulently inflated JMJ's bid prices and invoices to include the cost of kickbacks, and then caused P-C to include the costs of the kickbacks in the prices it charged to the EPA at Federal Creosote and to Tierra Solutions at Diamond Alkali. 8. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD and N.S. awarded sub-contracts to JMJ in return for J.D.'s payment of kickbacks to McDONALD and N.S.. OVERT ACTS 9. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the defendant and others known and unknown, committed the following overt acts, among others, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere:
COUNT SIX: 41 U.S.C. §§
53 and 54 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1, 5 through 9 of Count 1; Paragraph 2(a) of Count 4; and Paragraphs 6 through 8 of Count 5 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. 2. On or about October 19, 2004, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD knowingly and willfully accepted a kickback in the form of two checks from J.D. totaling $52,490.18, payable to Company-1, drawn on the account of JMJ, for the purpose of improperly rewarding and obtaining favorable treatment in connection with a sub-contract relating to a prime contract entered into by the United States and P-C. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 41, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTIONS 53 and 54. COUNT SEVEN: 18 U.S.C. § 371 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1 and Paragraph 2 of Count 6 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. INTRODUCTION 2. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated, V.B., a co-conspirator not named as a defendant herein, was a co-owner of National Industrial Supply LLC (hereinafter "NIS") which was a New Jersey limited liability company located in Middlesex, New Jersey. NIS was a supplier of industrial pipes, valves and fittings that provided supplies and services as a sub-contractor to P-C at Federal Creosote and at Diamond Alkali. THE CONSPIRACY 3. From approximately December 2000 until approximately September 2004, the exact dates being unknown to the United States, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed with V.B., N.S. and others to:
MEANS AND METHODS OF THE CONSPIRACY 4. Among the means and methods employed by McDONALD, V.B. and N.S. to carry out the conspiracy and effect the unlawful objects set forth above were those set forth in Paragraphs 5 through 7 below. 5. It was part of the conspiracy that V.B. provided kickbacks to Company-1, McDONALD and N.S. in order to influence the award of sub-contracts by P-C for supplies that included but were not limited to industrial pipes, valves and fittings to NIS at Federal Creosote and Diamond Alkali. 6. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD, V.B., and N.S. fraudulently inflated NIS's bid prices and invoices to include the cost of kickbacks, and then caused P-C to include the costs of the kickbacks in the prices it charged to the EPA at Federal Creosote and to Tierra Solutions at Diamond Alkali. 7. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD and N.S. awarded sub-contracts to NIS in return for V.B.'s payment of kickbacks to McDONALD and N.S.. 8. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD and N.S. caused P-C to make payments to NIS based on fraudulently inflated invoices. OVERT ACTS 9. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the defendants and others known and unknown, committed the following overt acts, among others, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere:
ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 371. COUNT EIGHT: 18 U.S.C. § 371
1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. INTRODUCTION 2. At all times relevant to this Indictment unless otherwise stated:
THE CONSPIRACY 3. From approximately June 2002 until approximately September 2004, the exact dates being unknown to the United States, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendants GORDON D. McDONALD and
knowingly and willfully conspired and agreed with each other, N.S., and others to:
MEANS AND METHODS OF THE CONSPIRACY 4. Among the means and methods employed by McDONALD, HAAS, and N.S. to carry out the conspiracy and effect the unlawful objects set forth above were those set forth in Paragraphs 5 through 7 below. 5. It was part of the conspiracy that McDONALD, HAAS, and N.S. agreed to inflate the bid price of a sub-contract at Federal Creosote without USACE's knowledge, consent, or authorization. 6. This fraudulently inflated amount included kickbacks HAAS and CBC provided to McDONALD and N.S.. McDONALD and N.S. caused P-C to include the fraudulently inflated amount as part of the costs it charged to the EPA under Contract One for work performed by CBC. 7. It was also part of the conspiracy that McDONALD and N.S. awarded a sub-contract to CBC in return for HAAS's payment of kickbacks to McDONALD and N.S. 8. It was further part of the conspiracy that McDONALD and N.S. caused P-C to make payments to CBC based on fraudulently inflated invoices relating to the sub-contract. OVERT ACTS 9. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the defendants and others known and unknown, committed the following overt acts, among others, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere:
COUNT NINE: 18 U.S.C. §1031 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1; and Paragraphs 2 and 5 through 8 of Count 8 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. 2. On or about June 9, 2003, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, the defendants GORDON D. McDONALD and JAMES E. HAAS, JR. knowingly and willfully executed and attempted to execute a scheme and artifice with the intent to defraud the United States, namely the EPA, and with the intent to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, by McDONALD and HAAS fraudulently inflating a CBC invoice that was submitted to P-C in the procurement of property and services as a prime contractor with the United States and as a sub-contractor in connection with Contract One, the value of which contract was $1 million or more. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1031(a). COUNT TEN: 26 U.S.C. §7206(1) 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1; and Paragraphs 2 and 5 through 7 of Count 3 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. 2. On or about April 15, 2004, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD unlawfully, willfully and knowingly did make and subscribe to U.S. Income Tax Returns for an S Corporation, Forms 1120s, and U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040, for the tax year 2003, which was verified by a written declaration by McDONALD that it was made under penalties of perjury, and which income tax returns he did not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter, in that Line 19 reported $783,286 as "Other deductions/Outside Services", whereas, he then and there well knew and believed, Company-1 did not have deductions in the amount reported. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 26, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 7206(1). COUNT ELEVEN: 26 U.S.C. §7206(1) 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1; and Paragraphs 2 and 5 through 7 of Count 3 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. 2. On or about April 15, 2005, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD unlawfully, willfully and knowingly did make and subscribe to U.S. Income Tax Returns for an S Corporation, Forms 1120s, and U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040, for the tax year 2004, which was verified by a written declaration by McDONALD that it was made under penalties of perjury, and which income tax returns he did not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter, in that Line 19 reported $217,419 as "Other deductions/Outside Services", whereas, he then and there well knew and believed, Company-1 did not have deductions in the amount reported. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 26, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 7206(1). COUNT TWELVE: 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2) 1. The allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 5 through 9 of Count 1 of this Indictment are hereby realleged as if set forth fully herein. INTRODUCTION 2. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (hereinafter "IRS") is a federal government agency authorized by law to investigate tax violations. 3. Beginning in or about 2007, the IRS initiated a proceeding to investigate tax violations by McDONALD and others. It was material to the IRS's investigation to determine whether McDONALD had taken false deductions on tax returns of Company-1 and whether Company-1 had properly characterized certain payments it received on its tax returns. As such, the IRS interviewed McDONALD. DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFENSE 4. On or about January 3, 2008, defendant GORDON D. McDONALD unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly, corruptly obstructed, influenced, and impeded an official proceeding of the Government of the United States, that is an investigation by the IRS, by making material false statements to the IRS about the purpose of certain Company-1's payments and the purpose of certain payments to Company-1. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. The aforesaid conduct occurred, in part, within the District of New Jersey within the five years preceding the filing of this Information. ALL IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 18 UNITED
STATES CODE, SECTION 1512(c)(2).
Dated: 8/31/09
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