Investigations

On July 22, 2014, Robert Slamon, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) consultant inspector; and Thanh Nguyen, owner of V-Tech Services, Inc. (V-Tech) and Utility Line Clearance, Inc. (ULC), were indicted by a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania grand jury with criminal conspiracy, theft, and bribery.

The state indictment alleged that Nguyen, through his companies V-Tech and ULC, stole approximately $3.6 million for work not performed, and in part, double billed for services and supplies not provided as stipulated in numerous PennDOT general maintenance contracts. Since 2009, Nguyen has received approximately $26 million in PennDOT general maintenance contracts for Pennsylvania roadways and bridges. Nguyen is also accused of defrauding PennDOT by inflating work hours and the number of people working at various job sites, and billing for equipment and materials not purchased, rented or used.

According to the indictment, Robert Slamon, a PennDOT consultant inspector with Czop Specter Inc., Norristown, Pennsylvania, allegedly conspired with Nguyen to falsify PennDOT records to enable Nguyen to receive payment for work never completed. Nguyen allegedly paid Slamon for his involvement, including at least one illicit payment of $5,000. 

The alleged public corruption and fraud involving PennDOT District 6 affected projects located in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Federal transportation regulations require State DOTs to maintain all projects paid for with federal monies in accordance with Federal Highway Administration policies and procedures.

OIG is conducting this investigation with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. 

Note:  Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.