McKeesport(PA) firm faces U.S. seizure over Pentagon work

Weird little local story - but makes you wonder how much fraud went on in reconstruction of the Pentagon following 9-11.

http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040315pentagonp5.asp

Federal prosecutors have filed court papers to seize and sell Capco Contracting on Walnut Street in McKeesport and the Monroeville home of its owner as part of an ongoing investigation into massive fraud in the rebuilding of the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

According to forfeiture documents in U.S. District Court, Capco owner Thomas Cousar was part of a scheme to overbill the Department of Defense for drywall and painting during the renovation of the Pentagon, called the "Phoenix Project."

Cousar hasn't been charged, but the government has moved to forfeit the business at 3711 Walnut St., where he also owns the Tube City Cafe and Brewhouse next door. Prosecutors also want to take his $500,000 home at 127 Mount Vernon Drive in Monroeville. Property deeds list Cousar and his wife, Julie, as the owners of both.

<snip>

Shortly after the attacks, AMEC was awarded a contract worth more than $520 million for the Phoenix Project. Capco was one of many subcontractors across the country to do work and received slightly more than $4 million.

To speed up the renovation, AMEC was allowed to do the work and get reimbursed for its costs under a "cost plus award fee contract." The company submitted five invoices for $43.5 million from Sept. 11 to Dec. 15.

good find!

*grin*