USAO, Eastern District of Pennsylvania - Press Release

Summary

On April 23, 2013,  Daniel Prodelick, aka Wederson Roberto, a foreman for a bridge painting contractor in Philadelphia, was charged in U.S. District Court, with making a false statement and misuse of a social security number.  In April 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) awarded a $42.7 million DOT-funded prime contract to the Hercules Painting Company and Vimas Painting Company Joint Venture (HVJV) for the painting and restoration of the George Platt Bridge in Philadelphia.  After entering the US illegally, Prodelick allegedly created the false identity and made false statements by submitting his fraudulent name and social security number in order to obtain employment with HVJV. 

The investigation determined that Prodelick then caused HVJV to submit required certified payroll reports to FHWA and PENNDOT that contained the apparent false name and social security numbers of Prodelick and numerous other workers he recruited on the project.  In August 2012, Prodelick fled after learning that agents conducted search warrants at the HVJV project trailer in Philadelphia.  In March 2013, Prodelick was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey.  Prodelick was arrested and is being detained in Philadelphia. 

We are investigating this case with the FBI, Department of Labor (DOL)-OIG; Homeland Security Investigations; Social Security Administration-OIG; Internal Revenue Service-CID; Environmental Protection Agency-CID; DOL-Employee Benefits Security Administration; and DOL-Wage and Hour Division.

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.