Vermont contractor to pay settlement for false claims in bridge projects

A Vermont contractor accused of disregarding public safety and squandering tax dollars agrees to a settlement.
Published: Nov. 29, 2021 at 11:50 PM EST|Updated: Nov. 30, 2021 at 8:22 AM EST
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LYNDON CENTER, Vt. (WCAX) - A Vermont contractor accused of disregarding public safety and squandering tax dollars has agreed to a settlement.

Federal authorities say VTrans hired contractor J.A. McDonald between 2008 and 2010 to do the federally funded work on several bridges on Route 279 in Bennington and on Interstate 91 in Guilford.

Prosecutors say workers cut or burned multiple sections of reinforcing steel in the bridge support and hid it from VTrans.

The company agreed to pay $637,500 in a settlement. The contractor also agreed to train employees on an ethics code and have an independent monitor make random inspections.

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