FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – United Ironworkers (“United”), D&K Welding Services (“D&K”), Kim Rasnick, and Dorrie Wise-Harris have agreed to pay the United States and the State of Illinois
$440,000 to resolve a civil False Claims Act investigation relating to fraud on the Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (“DBE”) programs of the United States and the State of Illinois U.S. Attorney
Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today. United and D&K are steel construction companies
operating on highway and bridge projects in Illinois and other midwestern states.

The DBE program reflects Congress’s intent to combat discrimination against minority and
women-owned businesses on federally-assisted surface transportation work. Under the DBE
regulations, only businesses independently owned and operated by a minority or woman may be
certified as a DBE.

The government alleged that, as a non-DBE, United and its President, Kim Rasnick, conspired with
a DBE, D&K, and its President, Dorrie Wise-Harris, to provide materially
false representations and information regarding ownership and control of D&K for DBE certification
and recertification purposes. These allegations were investigated by the U.S. Department
of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General and culminated in this settlement.

“The DBE program is designed to provide business opportunities to minority and women owned
businesses. Funds designated for that purpose should not be misallocated to
businesses...

Read Full Story: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/us-settles-dispute-over-disadvantaged-bu...