NEWARK, N.J. — The CEO of a construction company and a foreperson have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the Newark Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program, federal authorities announced Wednesday. The program was designed to replace lead pipes transporting drinking water in Newark.
Michael Sawyer, 57, of Burlington, New Jersey, and Latronia Sanders, 55, also known as “Tee,” of Roselle, New Jersey, were arrested and are facing charges for allegedly defrauding the city of Newark by collecting payments for lead pipe replacements they did not perform, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
“As our complaint alleges, Michael Sawyer and Latronia Sanders worked for a company hired by the city of Newark to replace lead pipes, but instead, they intentionally left lead pipes in the ground,” Sellinger said in a statement. The pair allegedly submitted misleading photographs and verification forms to conceal the incomplete work.
The scheme involved misleading city officials into believing that the lead service lines had been properly replaced, when in fact they had not been, according to the complaint. The Newark FBI’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, Nelson I. Delgado, emphasized that lead exposure poses serious health risks, especially to children, and stated that the alleged fraud compromised public safety.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact FBI Newark at 973-792-3000.
Sawyer and Sanders are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division and the EPA Office of Inspector General are also involved in the investigation.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to assess the scope of the alleged fraud.
