Construction Veep Accused in Kickback Scheme

ST. LOUIS (CN) - A federal grand jury charged the former vice-president of a St. Louis construction company with running a kickback scheme that cost the company $4.8 million.

Prosecutors say Clone Jefferson Oliver, 56, of Apollo Beach, Fla., was project manager for Alberici Constructors' construction of a $238 million water treatment plant, which began in 2006.

Oliver is accused of conspiring with co-defendant Kenneth Marc Simmons to inflate invoices and submit false change orders for materials supplied by Simmons' business, Industrial and Municipal Supply.

Oliver and Simmons kept some of the overcharges for themselves, according to the indictment.

"No matter how sophisticated a fraud scheme, it will eventually be exposed," the FBI's agent in charge in St. Louis, Dean Bryant, said in a statement.

The government seeks forfeiture of two properties in Florida, two boats and a boat trailer, two SeaDoo water crafts, a Mercedes, a diamond ring, money from the sale of two Harley-Davidsons, and other money.

Oliver was faces seven counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

Simmons, 55, of La Grange, Ga., faces five counts of mail fraud and wire fraud.

Alberici is an industrial and commercial builder with more than $1 billion in annual revenue, according to the company's website.

In St. Louis, the company is known for its giant windmill at company headquarters.

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