Praetorian Shield Inc., Grady Baker, and wife Ranya, agreed to pay the United States government $221,000 to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act by fraudulently obtaining small business set-aside contracts.
Praetorian Shield was at one time a Delaware company and had an office in downtown Wilmington, according to a release from the U.S Attorney's office in Maryland.
This settlement further resolves allegations that Praetorian and the Bakers violated the Anti-Kickback Act. The settlement is based on Praetorian Shields’ and the Bakers’ financial condition and ability to pay. The settlement is not an admission of guilt.
“The Bakers’ conduct in fraudulently obtaining government small business contracts thwarts the purpose of the small business program, which is meant to support small and disadvantaged businesses, and deprives legitimate businesses of opportunities intended by Congress” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “This settlement demonstrates our office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the federal contracting programs and to holding accountable those who seek to gain an unfair advantage through deception.”
The settlement resolves allegations that between 2016 and 2023, Praetorian and the Bakers falsely claimed that Praetorian was a Woman-Owned Small Business and a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. They made the claims to obtain small business set-aside contracts awards from the Department of Homeland...
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