Federal Criminal Defense for GSA Contract Fraud Cases
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts are long-term contracts with the U.S. government. GSA contract fraud occurs when a company selling products or services to the government fails to disclose accurate pricing or discounting information.
If you have a GSA contract and you are the target of a fraud investigation, there could be several reasons why you are under investigation.
1. The contractor accepts a bribe to select a bid
The role of the contractor is to select the best subcontractors from a variety of bids. If the contractor chose a certain bid based on the fact that the bidder offered money in exchange for the contract, then he or she would be committing fraud. The contractor would no longer be acting in the best interest of the government if a bribe influenced the subcontractor selection.
2. The contractor enabled bid rigging
A contractor should encourage competitive bidding amongst bidders so as to select the best service at the lowest price. A contractor who rigs the bidding process and who enables bidders to artificially increase their prices is defrauding the government. A contractor who selects a bid with an artificially high price is usually getting a kickback out of the process. The bidder often rewards the contractor for accepting a bid at a higher price.
3. The contractor denied discounts offered to other customers
Denying GSA discounts offered to other customers is known as “best price” fraud. The contractor is committing fraud against the GSA when he or she deliberately forfeits discounts that the bidder usually gives to other customers. Best price fraud is another way to artificially increase bidding prices. Contractors are often getting a kickback out of the process.
Receiving a target letter
Anyone who is under investigation for GSA contract fraud will receive a target letter in the mail. The letter should not be ignored. Receiving such a letter means there is an investigation going on, but no charges have yet been filed.
It is very important to take this letter seriously by contacting an attorney experienced in federal law, and more specifically in GSA contract fraud cases.
Jonathan Rose has successfully defended GSA contract fraud charges on the federal level and knows the best strategies for managing the complexities of these cases.
In some cases, after thorough review of the financial documents listed below, Mr. Rose is able to show that his clients should not be charged with a crime at all.
Bids Received
Communcations
Payments
Bank Records
Taxes
To learn more about the firm’s services in this area of law, please request an initial consultation. Call 407-894-4555, or contact the Orlando office via email at [email protected].