IDAHO, USA — Two executives from Idaho Ike Tomlinson, 60, from Terreton and Kris Bird, 61, from Salmon have been indicted and charged with federal fraud and conspiracy charges. According to U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, a federal grand jury charged the two Monday, Dec. 18 with conspiring to rig prices for contracts with the U.S. Forest Service and committing wire fraud.
"According to the seven-count felony indictment, Tomlinson and Bird's conspiracy affected contracts for forest-firefighting services. As alleged, the U.S. Forest Service runs a competitive bidding process for these contracts to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. The indictment alleges that from at least in or about February 2014, up to and including in or about March, Tomlinson and Bird coordinated their bids to "squeeze" and "drown" competitors; accepted payment for fuel trucks at collusive and noncompetitive daily rates; and tried to conceal their actions," a news release stated.
The two could face a maximum of ten years in federal prison and heavy fines in addition to a maximum of twenty years in prison for wire fraud. The defendants will have an upcoming court date.
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