RALEIGH, N.C. – Yesterday, a jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina found defendants Chad Cline and BJ Trucking Company, Inc. liable for $1,679,086 worth of unauthorized fuel purchases under United States Postal Service contracts, in violation of the False Claims Act.  The jury also found that while BJ Trucking was insolvent and owed a substantial debt to the United States, it transferred $439,015 to company insiders—including to Defendant Doug Cline—in violation of the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act.  This jury verdict will allow the recovery of more than $5 million to the government in addition to civil penalties to be determined by the judge.

“We are gratified to have contributed to this investigation and applaud the exceptional work by the United States Attorney’s Office for protecting both U.S. Postal Service funds and the integrity of our fuel card program,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. 

The verdict obtained in this matter was the culmination of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Neal Fowler and Michael Anderson represented the United States in this case.  This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.