SANTA MONICA, California — On Monday, a man who operated parking lots at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Los Angeles was sentenced for bilking the agency of $13 million and bribing the official who was in charges of his parking contracts.
He, Richard Scott of Santa Monica was sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison. The accusation includes conspiracy and wire fraud. He was ordered to pay the VA $12.6 million in restitution.
Owner of Westside Service LLC, Scott kept 2 sets of books for 15 years, storing millions in not legal cash and millions more in over-reported expenses, according to a U.S. attorney’s statement.
The bribing of Scott started then-VA contracting official Ralph Tillman in 2003. He continued to make the “hush money” after his retirement to continue the scheme.
According to the court documents, Scot underreported revenue by $4.6 million and overreported expenses by $8.2 million.
Scott, as well as, his wife agreed to forfeit all of the assets.
A message from Scott’s attorney is seeing a comment but there is no immediate feedback.
He pled guilty in February to federal tax charges. He has also charged of lying to officials when denying taking bribes from Scott. Tillman faces up to8 years when he Is sentenced August 27.
