Summary

On August 21, 2015, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Suspension and Proposed Debarment to Richard Negro, Joslyn F. Chance and JFC Construction, LLC based on the results of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. FHWA's notice indicated that the suspensions are based on adequate evidence that there may be cause for debarment and because immediate action is necessary to protect the Federal interest.   

On April 7, 2014, Manafort Brothers, Inc. (Manafort), a construction company based in Plainville, Connecticut, agreed to pay $2.4 million as part of a civil settlement agreement with the United States Attorney's Office, New Haven, Connecticut, to settle False Claims allegations. Manafort submitted reports to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) falsely certifying that JFC was performing certain useful functions on a federally funded ConnDOT project. A non-prosecution agreement was also reached with Manafort to resolve the company's corporate criminal liability.

On May 10, 2016, Chance and JFC Construction, LLC signed an administrative voluntary exclusion agreement to exclude themselves from participating in government contracting for nine months. On June 8, 2016, Negro signed a similar agreement, excluding himself from government contracting for 10 months. FHWA agreed to not pursue any additional suspension or debarment action unless they violate the terms of their agreements.                

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.