Investigations
Former Amtrak Contracting Officer Pleads Guilty to $7.6M Bribery Scheme
On April 19, Timothy Miller, former lead contract administrator at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to one count of Federal program bribery for his role in a kickback scheme.
Miller was responsible for procuring equipment and services and managing the Amtrak diesel and locomotive seat cushion vendor accounts. He allegedly approved Company 1 as a vendor and seat cushion supplier, and through his efforts, Amtrak awarded Company 1 four fleet maintenance contracts worth over $7.6 million. In return for steering contracts and providing pricing information to Company 1, Miller received approximately $20,000 and other things of value, including trips to Rehoboth Beach, DE. Miller and two Company 1 executives created a sham consulting company and submitted invoices to Company 1 for payment.
The Federal Railroad Administration executes and oversees grant agreements that provide Amtrak with Federal funds appropriated by Congress. Amtrak uses Federal funds for a wide range of operating and capital expenses, including maintenance, expansion, investment, and debt repayment.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Amtrak-OIG, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.