Claim Cites Alleged Fraud Methods

The tort claim filed against Clearwater County officials by former Flood Control Command Center employee Kelly Worthington cites three methods allegedly used to defraud the federal government:

Employees allegedly were directed by Sheriff Nick Albers and road engineer Randy Curtis to “max out” road and bridge projects to make sure as much money as possible could be recouped from the federal government “regardless of whether or not the project was actually completed.”

Worthington contends that the practice resulted in work being charged “at times and days when no work was actually being done.”

Records allegedly were changed, after they had been submitted by contractors, to falsely claim more work had been done or more materials were used.

“In addition, time cards were also changed to submit a fraudulent claim for hours worked,” the tort claim says.

Several work records allegedly were “fabricated entirely so that claims were submitted to the federal government for reimbursement for work which was not done at all.”