Great Lakes Wire

Anthony Thelen, a current co-owner and executive of Surveying Solutions Inc. (SSI), and Adam Ball, a former owner and executive of the same company, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) through contracts administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

According to prosecutors, SSI, based in Standish, Michigan, received millions of dollars in highway construction contracts from MDOT between February 2011 and July 2019. These contracts were largely funded by federal dollars through USDOT. Authorities say that Ball, Thelen, and other co-defendants engaged in fraudulent overbilling practices during this period. The fraudulent activities included submitting false claims for employee and information technology costs, inflating equipment and real property lease expenses, and hiding the true ownership structure of SSI entities.

"Adam Ball, 48, of Saginaw, Michigan and Anthony Thelen, 47, of Pewamo, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States," said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

On July 28, three additional defendants—Jeffrey Bartlett, Brian Bartlett, and Andrew Semenchuk—also pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme.

As part of a non-prosecution agreement with federal authorities, SSI will pay $1.1 million as a monetary penalty. The company has also agreed to implement an enhanced compliance program and report on its progress to government officials. If these terms are met fully by SSI—including ongoing cooperation with investigators—the company will avoid criminal prosecution.

"The United States Attorney’s Office reached this agreement with SSI based on numerous factors," stated Gorgon. "Among those the fact that SSI cooperated with federal agencies investigating the case and that SSI has implemented extensive remedial measures, including reorganizing under new management, and establishing a compliance program to detect and prevent similar fraud in the future."

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Michigan Division and the USDOT Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Karen L. Reyolds, T. Patrick Martin, William Vailliencourt, and K. Craig Welkener are prosecuting the case.