Praetorian Shield to pay $ 221,000 on fraudulent certifications.
THE U.S. Department of Justice has reached a $221,000 settlement with Praetorian Shield Inc.,, A deceased Delaware business, And It is owners Grady And Selfa Baker,, resolution allegations that THE couple wrong got federal contracts by denaturation THE business eligibility For little business Programs.
According to has federal Prosecutors, between 2016 And 2023, THE Bakes falsely claimed that Praetorian Shield qualified as both A Women-Owner Little Business (Wosb) And A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owner Little Business (Sdvosb) – designations that to carry preferential access has government contracts below federal together-aside rules.
Those complaints, prosecutor allege were part of A wider scheme has direct security contracts Since THE Department of Country Security (DHS) towards Paragon Systems Inc.,, A major federal security entrepreneur that employee Grady Baker as A senior executive during THE period In question.
“”THE Bakes to drive In fraudulently obtaining government little business contracts thwart THE aim of THE little business program, which East supposed has support little And disadvantaged companies, ” said U.S. Lawyer Kelly O. Hay of THE District of Maryland.
“”This settlement demonstration OUR desk commitment has protective THE integrity of federal markets programs And has holding company responsible those WHO seek has earn A unfair advantage through deception.”
Allegations of False statement And Control
Praetorian Shield was presented has federal agencies as A independent, women-owner And veteran-owner little business.
But In reality, prosecutor combat, THE business was closely control by Grady Baker And other leaders Since Paragon, A arrangement that would be to have do he ineligible For THE contracts he received.
As describe In court deposits, Grady Baker allegedly educated her marry has integrate THE business below A variation of her name,, using her medium And girl names – names She did not usually to use In business Or staff Contexts.
This tactical was allegedly employee has help mask THE couple connection has Paragon And has falsely qualify Praetorian For together-aside contracts.
Despite having No authentic operational independence, Praetorian got Dhs contracts as A subcontractor has Paragon.
Prosecutor say THE Bakes were aware THE business did not meet eligibility requirements but moving Before with THE scheme regardless.
Bribes has And Since Leaders
In addition has THE false statement complaints, THE settlement solve alleged violations of THE Anti-Gun Act.
THE government support that Praetorian And THE Bakes provided more that $188,000 In illicit payments has Paragon leaders In connection with contract Rewards.
Further away, Selfa Baker allegedly Received $98,000 In bribes Since another security subcontractor, Patronus Systems Inc.,, suggesting A wider model of incorrect financial relations In THE federal markets space.
While THE complete value of THE contracts And bribes related has THE scheme can to have has been significantly higher, THE $221,000 settlement was fit by What civil servants describe as THE Bakes current financial means.
In other words, THE Rising reflect What THE government believes he can realistically to recover.
Above all, THE settlement understand No admission of misdeed by THE Bakes Or Praetorian Shield.
Delaware has seen similar application acts In recent years. In 2019, E.M. Photonics, Inc.,, A Delaware-base business, And It is CEO agreed has pay $2.75 million has solve allegations below THE FAKE Complaints Act After allegedly swollen work costs And duplication costs on federal contracts.
