"The former chief executive at Bennett Environmental Inc., a Canada-based company that treats and disposes of contaminated soil, was sentenced today to serve 63 months in prison in connection with the payment of kickbacks to obtain subcontracts at a New Jersey Superfund site overseen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers," the statement said.
According to court documents, Bennett conspired to pay kickbacks that included cash, lavish trips, entertainment expenses and personal gifts in return for contracts to his company between 2001 and 2004.
Bennett Environmental was fraudulently awarded tens of millions of dollars in soil treatment and disposal contracts at Federal Creosote in the borough of Manville, New Jersey, according to prosecutors.
The company won contracts at higher prices than it otherwise would have bid, causing harm to the EPA, the prosecutors added.
The US authorities also ordered Bennett to pay a fine of $12,500 and $3.8 million in restitution.
