TAMUNING—On August 6, 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with law enforcement partners from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Thomas E. Marler on federal charges of conspiring a bid rigging scheme to enrich himself and co-conspirator Jayanika Lawrence from federally funded grants administrated by the University of Guam.

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment, charging conspiracy to restrain trade, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

“This investigation targeted a bid-rigging and fraud scheme concerning federally funded grants and projects at the University of Guam,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Eli S. Miranda, “The FBI will continue to pursue fraud and corruption investigations and hold accountable all those who betray the public’s trust and confidence.”

Marler was arrested at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport. Lawrence, who resides in the state of Oregon, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court of Guam.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell said, “These charges reflect the IRS’s commitment to investigating significant financial crimes—especially when those crimes directly target taxpayer dollars intended to fund critical work being done with federally funded research grants. We will not waiver in our dedication to root out individuals who seek to profit at the expense of the American taxpayers.”

An indictment is merely a charge and the guilt of the defendant must be proven in the court of law.