Investigations

On October 17, 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island entered into a civil settlement agreement with the construction company Barletta Heavy Division. Barletta agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act related to the Federal Highway Administration-funded Route 6/10 Interchange Construction Project in Providence, Rhode Island, and the Federal Transit Administration-funded Pawtucket Train and Bus Hub Project (Pawtucket Project) in Central Falls, Rhode Island.

 

On October 18, Barletta entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office. In this agreement, Barletta agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine, accepted responsibility for the actions of its employees, and admitted to making false statements in connection with federally funded highway projects. Barletta was also required to implement ongoing monitoring, reporting, and compliance measures for 3 years. On October 19, the U.S. Attorney filed an information in U.S. District Court of Rhode Island charging Dennis Ferreira, former Barletta construction superintendent, with making false statements in connection with highway projects.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the U.S. Department of Labor-OIG, with assistance from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement.