Kickbacks

USPS Fleet Manager Involved in $190K Kickback Scheme

CLEVELAND – Ulysses Bradley, manager of the vehicle maintenance facility (VMF) for the United States Postal Service (USPS) serving the Northern District of Ohio, was recently charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of U.S. government property and misappropriation of postal funds, according to a release by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Bradley, 42, oversaw local branch offices in Parma, Shaker Heights, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown and was responsible for approving payments for service and maintenance for all USPS vehicles, in addition to selling used USPS vehicles.

Prosecutors said Bradley approved fake invoices for high-dollar maintenance and detailing work on post office vehicles between May 13, 2004 and Aug. 15, 2008, reported the Plain Dealer.

According to the DOJ, Bradley and others allegedly prepared and approved false invoices submitted to the U.S. Postal Service in order to receive funds for vehicle washing/waxing work never performed and used the names of fictitious or third-party companies to prepare and submit fictitious payment requests to receive funds for high-end vehicle maintenance work never performed. Bradley, using his authority as a certifying officer, would reportedly approve the payments stating the work had been performed when he knew that it had not.
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NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Florida authorities shot a Utah man wanted for environmental crimes.

Larkin Baggett is the first ever eco-fugitive arrested in the nation.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency listed Baggett as a wanted man.

Yesterday Baggett was wounded in a shootout at a trailer park in Marathon Florida.

Two years ago he emptied out his business in North Salt Lake and disappeared after being charged with dumping hazardous chemicals into the sewer system.
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Wash Bay Fails

Penndot Pulls Plug On $300,000 Truck Wash
Taxpayers Stuck With Bill After Project Backfires
A massive machine meant to save money and go green at Penndot's maintenance facility in Greensburg hasn't been used in months.


The automated truck washing system was built at a cost of $278,000.

It's an elaborate system of pipes and sprayers connected to several huge water tanks housed in a building.

"When it was initially built it was a state wide pilot project to try to be more environmentally friendly with washing equipment, " said Penndot Manager Tim Cook.

Cook said the plan was to use the facility to wash all Penndot trucks in Westmoreland County. Trucks had been going to a local car wash where drivers pressure washed them by hand.

But there were problems from the very beginning.

The truck washing equipment was installed first, but because of permit issues it took another year to install the electrical system.

During that time, the warranty on the wash expired.

Shortly after it went on line, some of the equipment began to fail.

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This is actually good for us as fleet washers. Companies, fleet managers, and business owners are starting to see the benefit of hiring a professional environmentally compliant mobile truck washing company. These wash bays are not cost effective. The maintenance costs involved and chemical costs could cover the price of hiring a professional environmentally compliant mobile truck washing company. The costs for electricity, water and sewer swelled to $10,000 to $15,000 a month, definitely not the savings they hoped for. And the sprayers on the ground couldn't reach up under the trucks. WOW! That says it all! This doesn't even mention the EPA and the new attention they are drawing to themselves. You may be thinking... They have a full loop system that remains EPA compliant. Your right they do, but who needs that extra attention from enforcement agencies. We remove that liability from the client and make sure we stay compliant. That's are job!