BREAKING NEWS: PBS&J Overcharged States by Tens of Millions and PBS&J working with Austin Chamber of Commerce to hoodwink press.

PBS&J Hid Millions in Overcharges

The Miami Herald reports today, that PBS&J, a major toll road contractor with TxDOT, is using the $36.6 million embezzlement found in 2006, to hide millions in overcharges. Excerpts from today's news:

"PBS&J has attributed some of the millions in over billing to three former employees who tried to cover up a $36.6 million embezzlement. But in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the firm also admitted to its own over billing, although it won't say by how much. One big client, the Florida Department of Transportation, estimated that more than half of the approximately $11 million it was overcharged had nothing to do with the embezzlement."

"Attorneys for Garcia said in a court filing that PBS&J is using the embezzlement to hide its own over billing."

TxDOT did it’s own secretive PBS&J investigation in 2006. When reporters found out about the fraud and that TxDOT had stopped giving out PBS&J contracts for some time, TxDOT refused to share details, including how many millions were stolen from taxpayers, and how many millions might be paid back.

A Federal grand jury is also investigating PBS&J for illegally reimbursing its employees for campaign contributions.

In Central Texas, PBS&J has joined with Washington Group International (WGI) and United Toll Systems (UTS) to track and trace all cars on the $2.5 billion Central Texas Turnpikes that have been opening over the last months. A database of ALL traffic is being created - Watch this KXAN video report of “Camera’s capturing license plates on toll roads”.

In a nutshell, here’s how it works: PBS&J illegally contributes money to local politicians, they get fat contracts, at times PBS&J charges millions just for studying a problem for years, according to a lawsuit:

"PBS&J had done nothing but spend millions of taxpayer dollars to 'study' the problem."

PBS&J working with
Austin Chamber of Commerce
to hoodwink press.

According to a confidential source, PBS&J's Alistair Miller sent out an email just 2 days ago, to help fill the upcoming Austin Chamber of Commerce press conference parking lot:

From: Miller, Alastair
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:11 PM
To: Austin (All Locations)
Subject: Vehicles for Press Conference

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce is facilitating a press conference at Zilker Park on February 20th at 10:00 am to discuss transportation related issues in our region. We have been requested by the Chamber to provide 20 vehicles in an effort to fill the parking lot where the press conference will be conducted. I am looking for volunteers to assist with this request. I anticipate it will require approximately 2 to 3 hours of your time. Please let me know if you have the availability and the desire to assist with this assignment and I will provide you with further details.

Thanks
Alastair Miller
342-3248

Find PBS&J connections with Rep. Mike Krusee/Melinda Wheatley, Sen Kirk Watson, Convicted Criminal Pete Peters, Alliance of Cities, John Langmore, Peggy Croslin, Councilman Brewster McCracken.