The company, Northstar Highway Services, had been awarded millions of dollars in public contracts.
Its responsibilities included road maintenance, emergency response, and traffic safety equipment.
But according to confidential complaints, the company had been charging taxpayers for work it never completed.Compare Security
Invoices listed roads that had supposedly been repaired.
Equipment purchases appeared on official documents.
Overtime payments had been approved for employees who claimed they had worked overnight shifts.
The money disappeared through a complicated network of subcontractors and consulting companies.
At first, it looked like ordinary financial misconduct.
Then Victoria discovered something more disturbing.Browse Reference
Several local law-enforcement officers were connected to the company.
Some had received unexplained payments.
Others had relatives employed by subcontractors.
And a
small number appeared to have used their authority to intimidate people who asked questions.
Victoria’s investigation had been confidential.Find Police Jobs
Only a handful of federal officials knew the full scope of it.
She had been traveling that afternoon to meet an accountant who had agreed to provide original records.
She never made it to the meeting.
Because Officers Grant and Miller were waiting on the roadside.
Grant stared at Victoria’s identification card.
“You’re with the Department of Justice?”Compare Security
Victoria nodded.
“Office of Inspector General.”
Miller took a step backward.
The confidence in his face had disappeared.
Grant looked at the wallet again.
Then at Victoria.
“Why didn’t you tell us that?”Find Stock Photos
Victoria gave him a tired smile.
“I tried to tell you I had done nothing wrong.”
“That doesn’t explain why you’re carrying federal credentials.”
