File Photo
“The defendant’s bribery scheme deprived a local college of the honest services of its contractors and employees,” said Acting Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme.
By Forum Staff
The owner of several companies that operated in the New York City area, including Zeus Waste Management Inc., a carting business in Whitestone, pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a scheme to secure waste management contracts from a local college.
As set forth in public filings, in June 2018, George Kalergios, 57, agreed to bribe the facilities director of a college located in New York City to grant Zeus Waste Management the exclusive right to remove non-hazardous waste from the college’s campus. Specifically, Kalergios agreed to pay the facilities director 10 percent of any payments that the college made to Zeus Waste Management under any contracts directed to the company. In July 2018, the facilities director awarded a three-year contract to Zeus Waste Management that gave it the exclusive right to remove non-hazardous waste from the College’s campus. Between July 2018 and March 2019, pursuant to their agreement, Kalergios made multiple cash payments to the facilities director totaling approximately $11,095.
Photo Courtesy of Google
In addition to Zeus Waste Management Inc., Kalergios also owns Tres Construction, located on Review Avenue in LIC.
“The defendant’s bribery scheme deprived a local college of the honest services of its contractors and employees,” said Acting Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that those who engage in criminal corruption to enrich themselves at the expense of institutions in our communities will be held accountable.”
When sentenced, Kalergios faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment. In addition, Kalergios agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $110,955.
“Instead of providing the best possible services to his clients with no strings attached, Kalergios participated in a quid-pro-quo arrangement that served to advance his selfish interests. Corrupt behavior has no place in the business of honest services, and today’s guilty plea highlights that basic truth,” added FBI NY Assistant Director-in-Charge Bill Sweeney, Jr.
