Miami-Dade Contractor Accused Of Submitting 'Fictitious' Bills

MIAMI, FL — The owner of longtime Miami-Dade County contractor ABC Construction Inc. and his office manager have been accused of submitting $57,288.20 in "fictitious invoices, insurance forms and altered receipts" to county officials in connection with two construction projects.

Company Owner and President Jorge Gonzalez was charged with criminal use of personal ID information, uttering forged instrument and grand theft. Office Manager Laura Gonzalez has been charged with two counts of uttering forged instrument and criminal use of personal ID information, according to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

“There can never be a rationalization of any business process that uses false invoices and documents to get things done,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle charged.

Fernandez Rundle praised the county inspector general's office for its investigation and bringing the case to the attention of her office.

ABC has been contracting with various Miami-Dade County government agencies for about 25 years.

"The charged parties allegedly provided fictitious invoices, insurance forms and altered receipts to Miami-Dade County to expedite insurance reimbursement payments that ABC was not immediately authorized to receive," according to prosecutors.

The charges relate to the construction of the Caleb Parking Garage as well as a pedestrian overpass bridge at the University Metrorail Station.

ABC Construction Inc. as a business entity has also been charged with various criminal offenses.

“It is unfathomable that a company that has made over $60 million from the taxpayers of Miami-Dade County would stoop so low to defraud the county in this manner,” added Miami-Dade Inspector General Mary T. Cagle. “In addition to the ongoing prosecution, the OIG will be pursuing debarment of this company and its principal from any future county work."