Construction Company Owner Admits Paying Bribes, Kickbacks For Work At Military Bases

The owner of a construction company that performed work at Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst and Picattiny Arsenal has admitted paying bribes and kickbacks to get the contracts, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

George Grassie, 54, of Covington Township, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit bribery and one count of providing unlawful kickbacks.

He admitted that from December 2010 to December 2013, he paid bribes ranging from $95,000 to $150,000 to an individual employed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in New Jersey to obtain and retain subcontracts and other favorable assistance at PICA and Fort Dix, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

He also admitted that he paid kickbacks of $40,000 to $95,000 to Shawn Fuller and James Conway, who were then project managers for a prime contractor at PICA and Fort Dix.

The conspiracy charge to which Grassie pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison.

The charge for making unlawful kickbacks to which Grassie pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. Both charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss associated with the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for May 31.

Conway previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and accepting unlawful kickbacks.

Fuller previously pleaded guilty to accepting unlawful kickbacks.