Investigations
FTA Debars New Jersey Scrap Metal Company and Its Principals
Effective April 2, 2018, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) instituted 3-year debarments against Cinelli Iron & Metal Co. (CIMCO), and its chief executive officer and co-owner, Craig Cinelli. The debarments were based on the guilty pleas from Cinelli; David Barteck, chief financial officer; and Michael Valenti, senior vice president for sales.
CIMCO, previously headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, was in the business of buying, transporting, and reselling scrap metal from construction sites in the tristate area. It had multiple contracts with several DOT grantees, such as the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New Jersey Transit. CIMCO hauled scrap metal from MTA depots and corporate jobsites, weighed the metal, and then purchased it from the contracting agencies based on its weight. CIMCO’s officers pleaded guilty to defrauding customers over several years by misreporting the weight or the type of scrap metal the company purchased.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with DOL-OIG and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey.
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.