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Bid-Rigging, Questionable Procurement Practices Uncovered in Cape Coral, Florida
Kessler International Delivers Construction Audit on Utilities Expansion Project
NEW YORK, NY…
March 12, 2007...
(New York, NY, July 24, 2006) Kessler International, a leading forensic accounting, computer forensics and corporate investigative strategies firm today made public the Company’s forensic audit of the SW 1, 2 & 3 Utilities Expansion Project (UEP) in Cape Coral, Florida. Michael G. Kessler, President and CEO of the nineteen year old firm, delivered his findings at a well-attended town meeting and before the Cape Coral City Council. Kessler’s report contains substantiated allegations of impropriety and fiscal mismanagement and led to considerable debate over its contents.
Retained by the City of Cape Coral, Florida in December 2005 to perform a forensic audit on the UEP, Kessler’s investigation raised a number of ethical and legal issues concerning bidding processes and contract compliance. These included:
- Substantiation that the Public Works Department (PWD) lacked adequate controls and was loosely administrated.
- Kessler’s forensic audit of the books and records of the City concerning the utilities expansion project, disclosed indications of bid-rigging and other mismanagement when compared to criteria established by the Anti-Trust division of the Department of Justice.
- Kessler stated that key documentation was repeatedly requested, but not received, or not received in a timely fashion. Also that some documents had been heavily redacted, making a complete audit impossible.
- On the advice of the City’s Attorney’s office and the City Auditor the case has been referred to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for further investigation and possible criminal prosecution.
- Kessler International’s forensic audit report provided evidence and a recommendation for further investigation by the appropriate governmental agencies. The audit report on the Cape Coral Utilities Expansion Project may be viewed at: www.investigation.com/TBD
Michael G. Kessler is President and CEO of Kessler International, and has gained world-wide recognition for more than 35 years for his forensic accounting and computer forensic expertise. For nearly two decades, Kessler International has been applying forensic accounting disciplines to document “white collar” crimes which include public corruption fraud, bid-rigging, bribery, and embezzlement. Mr. Kessler has distinguished himself among his peers by serving on the boards of such prestigious organizations as the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE) Executive Board of Forensic Accounting and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) Litigation Forensics Board.
For more information about Kessler International, contact Michael Kessler at 1-800-932-2221 or visit the Kessler International website at www.investigation.com.
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