Massachusetts Contractor and President Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bid Rigging on Connecticut Highway Contracts

Office of Inspector General

Title:	Massachusetts Contractor and President Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bid Rigging on Connecticut Highway Contracts
Date:	October 02, 2007
Type:	Investigation
Summary:	On October 2, 2007, Marino Brothers, Inc. of Peabody, Massachusetts, and its president, Robert Marino, were sentenced in Connecticut State Superior Court in New Britain, Connecticut, on two counts each of conspiracy to commit bid rigging following an August 8, 2007, jury trial conviction. The company was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the State of Connecticut and was banned from bidding on publicly funded contracts for 3 years. Mr. Marino was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay $5,000 in restitution to the State of Connecticut. The Connecticut Chief State Attorney’s Office requested DOT OIG’s investigative assistance into the awarding of crack sealing maintenance contracts to Marino Brothers, Inc. Five Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) employees were also charged with conspiracy to commit forgery by altering a document to promote Marino Brothers’ cold seal business. To date, one ConnDOT employee has been acquitted, another has pled guilty, and three are awaiting trial. DOT OIG plans to refer Mr. Marino and Marino Brothers, Inc. to FHWA for suspension/debarment consideration.