Summary

On June 24, 2016, Louis Effa, a former Infrastructure Manager for the Maritime Administration (MARAD), was suspended and proposed for debarment from participating in Federal aid contracting by MARAD. In April 2016, he was charged, and in May 2016, he pleaded guilty to theft of government property in U.S. District Court, Greenbelt, MD.

In November 2014, MARAD discovered that Effa used his MARAD business account to purchase three unauthorized Apple iPads. Effa had the iPads shipped to a friend at a non-MARAD address in Piney Point, MD. MARAD discovered the three unauthorized Apple iPads after conducting an internal audit. Effa resigned from MARAD after being placed on administrative leave.

The investigation disclosed that between 2012 and November 2014, Effa stole approximately 119 iPads, iPhones, laptops, keyboards, and other computer equipment belonging to MARAD. He sold many of the items online and received at least $37,386 for the stolen property.

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with assistance from MARAD.

Note: Exclusion actions (suspensions and debarments) are frequently for a specific period of time, and the System for Award Management (“sam.gov”) should be consulted to find whether a company is currently excluded.