Investigations

On August 24, 2017, two Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) supervisors—Anthony “Andy” Willie and Kenneth “Kenny” Duane Adams—and four northern Virginia trucking company owners—Rolando Alfonso Pineda Moran, Shaheen “Shane” Sariri, John Lee Williamson, and Elmer Antonio Mejia—were indicted on charges of conspiracy and fraud.

 

The indictment alleges that beginning in early 2013, Willie and Adams used their official positions as employees at VDOT’s Burke Area Headquarters to enrich themselves. Specifically, they allegedly negotiated bribe agreements with several owners and operators of trucking and snow-removal companies in northern Virginia, including Moran, Sariri, and Williamson. Each agreement stated that in exchange for obtaining snow-removal work, the owners would provide Willie and Adams a percentage or a flat rate of their hourly contracts as cash payments. In addition, Willie and Adams would sign off on the companies’ invoices to VDOT. From the 2013–2014 to the 2015–2016 snow season, Willie and Adams received approximately $140,000 in cash bribes.

 

The indictment also alleges that from 2011 through 2016, Adams conspired with Mejia to negotiate an agreement in which Mejia subcontracted snow-removal work to Adams’ nominee-owned company, Supreme Landscaping. Mejia paid Adams more than $160,000, frequently disguising the money as payment for work allegedly performed by Supreme Landscaping.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Virginia State Police, and Fairfax County Police Department, with assistance from the VDOT Office of Assurance and Compliance.

 

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