( Cincinnati ) - Nearly two years ago, federal agents raided Evans Landscaping, searching for evidence as part of an investigation that agents would not speak publicly about.
On Friday, that investigation went public with the announcement of a federal indictment. Benjamin Glassman, the US Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced charges against the business owner, 55-year-old Doug Evans, and his vice president of operations, 49-year-old Jim Bailey. The pair are charged with a total of six counts including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud for allegedly defrauding the City of Cincinnati out of $2 million.
Investigators say back in 2008, the two men and others set up a business called Ergon Site Construction LLC to be owned by Korey Jordan, a black man who handed IT services for Evans. The plan was allegedly that Ergon would get public contracts that are marked for minority-owned businesses.
Jordan and three other defendants have already pleaded guilty to their roles, but a statement from Evans' attorneys says the business owner plans to fight. "Mr Evans and the company simply did not do the things they stand accused of doing." The statement goes on to say they plan a vigorous defense and look forward to their day in court.