Investigations

On January 7, 2016, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) suspended and proposed the debarment of Century Steel Erectors Co., and its president, Donald R. Taylor, from participating on federally funded contracts. Previously, on November 18, 2015, a Federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, indicted Donald R. Taylor, charging him with conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Taylor, the president and owner of Century Steel Erectors, Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, allegedly joined and presided over a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) pass-through scheme in which Century Steel used WMCC Inc., a certified DBE, as a front company to obtain profits from DBE subcontracts.

The indictment alleged that Century Steel officials actually found, negotiated, coordinated, performed, managed, and supervised the DBE subcontracts related to bridge construction. Furthermore, the indictment alleged that WMCC failed to perform a "commercially useful function" and Century Steel actually performed and completed the DBE work. Century Steel allegedly paid WMCC a small "fixed-fee" for the use of their name.

The federally funded prime contracts affected by this alleged DBE fraud scheme total more than $27 million. 

We are conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from FHWA. 

Note: A suspension or debarment frequently covers a specific period of time. Please consult the System for Award Management to determine whether a company or individual is currently suspended or debarred.