News

El Cajon-based San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings and the company’s hiring manager, Karli Buxton, pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring undocumented immigrants without authorization to work in the United States.

A federal grand jury in Denver returned an indictment on August 21, 2025, charging two Denver-area companies and the companies’ top executives for defrauding the federal government on sales of forklifts and conspiring to avoid paying proper tariffs on forklifts imported into the United States.

The General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is aware that scammers may have recently spoofed GSA OIG phone numbers, making it appear that calls are coming from a government agency.

Sanford Federal, Inc. and its owner, Joseph Mandour, agreed to pay $3,100,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act in their acquisition and performance of 49 government contracts across the United States and involving multiple Federal agencies.

On July 30, the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General joins its fellow oversight agencies in celebrating National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.

On July 23, 2025, the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville sentenced Monika D. Schorer, 59, of Jonesborough, TN, and Teresa D. Schorer, 59, of Jonesborough, TN, each to a term of imprisonment of eight months and a $10,000 fine.

Berg Companies, Inc. has agreed to pay $3.3 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting, or causing the submission of, false claims under prime vendor contracts with the Defense Logistics Agency, which the Department of Defense uses to purchase goods and services.

Hill ASC Inc., doing business as Hill Associates, of Rockville, Maryland, agreed to pay at least $14.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a General Services Administration contract for information technology services.

The owner of a fuel truck supply company was sentenced today in Boise, Idaho, to 3 months in prison and a $24,000 fine for his role in schemes to rig bids, allocate territories, and commit wire fraud over an 8-year period.

John Washburn, general manager of San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings in El Cajon, pleaded guilty in federal court today to engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring undocumented immigrants without authorization to work.