A career U.S. Geological Survey employee created fake companies as part of a scheme that defrauded the government of more than $1.2 million over the course of 15 years, federal prosecutors say.
James Montoya, a Colorado-based information technology specialist, faces eight counts of wire fraud following his indictment by a grand jury. According to the indictment, the 54-year-old Montoya submitted false invoices and receipts to hide his use of a government credit card for personal purposes.
“These purchases included, but were not limited to, vintage and collectible toys as well as car parts,” the indictment states.
The car purchases identified in the indictment include $1,980 for a “dock box” used for storage and $8,039 for a “Stage 3 Pro Stroker Long Block” engine that is described by the manufacturer as something that can “give you everything from stump pulling low-end torque to high revving top end horsepower.”
