Santa Cruz Company Accused Of Padding Invoices, State Says

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A Santa Cruz-based consulting company accused of padding work invoices has agreed to pay more than $100,000 in penalties to the state of California, the State Water Resources Control Board said Friday.

According to the board's settlement, an Allterra Solar geologist submitted invoices to the board seeking reimbursement for embellished expenses, work hours and mileage totals. The employees named in each invoice also did not request reimbursement themselves and did not receive the funds given to Allterra, the board said.

The company sought reimbursement for each invoice through the state's Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, which gives small businesses rebates for the costs associated with cleaning leaking underground storage tanks that are used to store petroleum.

"Honest invoicing of actual costs for reasonable and necessary services is essential to the relationship between the Cleanup Fund program and the consultant community," said Yvonne West, director of the board's office of enforcement.

Allterra must pay $106,533 in penalties to the state and its CEO, James Allen, is banned from future participation in all reimbursement funds managed by the state water board.

Suspected waste, fraud and abuse can be reported to the state water board by calling (855) 263-0863 or emailing reportfraud@waterboards.ca.gov.

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