Former Construction Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More than $3.4 Million

HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Houston man has admitted to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering to steal millions from Dallas company The Beck Group, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Moses Said was a former construction manager for the Beck Group and was in charge of the Le Meridien Hotel Project in downtown Houston from 2016 to 2017. False invoices were submitted to the Beck Group for payment for construction products that were not provided and construction services that were not performed. In his role as construction manager, Said approved and submitted the false invoices for payment.

Once the monies were received, Said and his co-conspirators took steps to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the unlawful fraud proceeds.

Sentencing has been set for Sept. 17, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, at which time Said faces up to 20 years in prison.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vernon Lewis is prosecuting the case.