WHEELING, W.Va. — A West Virginia Division of Highways contractor and former employee were sentenced Monday for their roles in funneling work to a South Carolina firm.
Mark Rudolph Whitt, 52, of Winfield, was sentenced to three years probation for wire fraud and ordered to pay $250,000, and James Travis Miller, 40, of Hurricane was sentenced to three years probation for laundering money.
According to acting U.S. Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, Whitt was previously president and owner of Bayliss and Ramey Inc. He admitted in December 2016 he used a statewide signal maintenance contract to pass construction work to Dennis Corporation. He also concealed the funds given from the Division of Highways to Dennis Corporation.
An investigation resulted in recovering more than $250,000 illegally obtained by Whitt, which is being returned to West Virginia.
Miller worked at the Division of Highways before joining Dennis Corporation. He admitted in December 2016 to deliver covert payments to a division employee to exchange for actions favorable to Dennis Corporation.