FAA official charged with fraud

SEATTLE – A federal grand jury has charged a Federal Aviation Administration official with improperly steering a $4.3 million airport contract to a construction company.

Robert Ferrell, 47, of Renton, is scheduled for arraignment next week on charges of fraud, conspiracy and obstruction. He was indicted late last week, the U.S. attorney’s office in said.

Federal prosecutors said Ferrell, an FAA contracting officer, helped PCL Construction Services Inc. win a contract to install lighting at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, even though another company had submitted lower bids.

Ferrell did not immediately return a phone message from the Associated Press seeking comment Saturday.

Ferrell’s former supervisor, Vicki Olson, pleaded guilty earlier this month to conspiracy and fraud in connection with the same contract. Authorities said Olson, 51, of Kent, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced.

Olson and Ferrell continue to collect their salaries while on administrative leave, FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer told The Seattle Times.

“We are considering all options with regard to these two employees,” Kenitzer said. “Until we’ve reviewed all the documents we can’t comment in detail.”