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You are subscribed to News Releases for the Maryland Attorney General. A new press release has been issued.   Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to get our Press Releases in your inbox. Attorney General Frosh Announces Settlement with Prince George's County Contractor for Violating Maryland False Claims Act J&K Contracting to Pay $350,000 Penalty, Consents to Debarment   BALTIMORE, MD (October 7, 2020) - Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced today that J&K Contracting, Inc., and its principal Kryiakos Kiotsekoglou will pay $351,431 to settle allegations that they submitted false claims for payment to the State and the Washington County Board of Education.  They have also agreed to a voluntary debarment from contracting with the State of Maryland, meaning the company is prohibited from bidding on or participating in state contracts.   In May 2019, Attorney General Frosh and the Washington County Board of Education filed suit in the Circuit Court for Washington County alleging that J&K and Kiotsekoglou submitted false or fraudulent claims in connection with two roofing contracts.  J&K and Kiotsekoglou are alleged to have violated the terms of the State's Minority Business Enterprise Program by promising, but failing, to use businesses certified to participate in the program as subcontractors.  The state charged that to demonstrate compliance with the program, J&K 1) submitted falsified affidavits - supposedly signed by the certified businesses – and, 2) submitted copies of checks allegedly paid to one business despite knowing the checks had not been and would not be cashed.   "J&K will no longer be allowed to do business with the State, and it will pay a healthy fine to boot," said Attorney General Frosh.  "Our office will continue to pursue those who falsely claim to be minority enterprises and those who try to cheat our state."  The case was filed under the Maryland False Claims Act, which prohibits contractors, grantees, or others who receive government funds from submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment, directly or indirectly, to government entities.  The False Claims Act is a key fraud-fighting tool to obtain redress for government agencies and prevent and deter future fraud.   In making today's announcement, Attorney General Frosh thanked Assistant Attorney General Shelly Marie Martin and Anthony Trotta, John Martirano, and Jaime Bennett from the Washington County Board of Education.          Stay Connected with the Maryland Attorney General: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Help  |   This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maryland Attorney General · 200 St. Paul Place · Baltimore, MD 21202