August 16, 2016
A Pennsylvania man admitted to committing fraud on construction projects involving a pair of United States military bases in New Jersey, according to federal prosecutors.
James Conway, 45, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Newark federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of accepting unlawful kickbacks, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
According to court documents, Conway worked as a regional manager for a contractor that managed construction projects at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.
From September 2009 to August 2015, Conway steered subcontracts to a business that he owned called Walsh Construction. He signed documents as Keith Walsh, a fabricated owner or vice president of the company.
Conway would issue invoices and bills for work that was not completed by his fraudulent company, resulting in the loss of $1.4 million.
Conway also received $180,345 in kickbacks from four other subcontractors expecting favorable treatment.
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 30.
Conway faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge and 10 years in prison for unlawful kickback charge. Those charges also carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss associated with the crime, whichever is greatest.
