WHEELING, WV
A federal grand jury indicted Michael J. Marshall, 64, Brandt Stover, 61, Stephen M. Powell, 52, all of Steubenville, Ohio, and Nicole P. Northcraft, 42, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, for manipulating U.S. Small Business Administration business development programs, officials announced Monday.
The defendants operated various businesses participating in Small Business Administration programs and are alleged to have submitted false eligibility statements and allowed unauthorized individuals to exercise control over the businesses, according to authorities.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have fraudulently sought and received federal agency contracts in excess of $140 million dollars.
Craig W. Rupert, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office stated: “Through these schemes, the defendants allegedly took U.S. taxpayer dollars from the 8(a) contracts intended to support the U.S. military. These acts erode public confidence and deny opportunities for honest contractors.”
The defendants are each charged with various felony crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, officials said.
Officials state that the Small Business Administration operates programs to assist socially or economically disadvantaged business operators and disabled veterans in competing for government contracts.
The businesses must be unconditionally owned and controlled by the qualifying individuals in order to comply with federal law, officials said.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.