Former Norfolk City Employee Convicted of Fraud
| U.S. Attorney’s Office May 09, 2013 |
NORFOLK, VA—Patrick R. Lambert, 56, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to fraud in connection with a local government receiving federal funds.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Royce E. Curtin, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation Norfolk Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by Chief United States District Judge Rebecca B. Smith.
Lambert faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment when he is sentenced on August 16, 2013.
In a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Patrick R. Lambert was a facilities maintenance supervisor with the city of Norfolk and was acquainted with Andrew T. Zoby, Jr., who had a plumbing contract with the city of Norfolk. Lambert owned a home and several rental properties in the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach and at various times from approximately 2006 through 2011, would request that Zoby’s plumbing business perform certain work on the properties. Zoby’s employees performed the requested work which had a total value of $17,547.57. Lambert did not pay Zoby or his company for the work that was performed on these properties. In order to obtain reimbursement for these services, Zoby, with the knowledge of Lambert, would submit fraudulent invoices for alleged plumbing services to the city of Norfolk. Lambert was aware of and acquiesced in the payment of these fraudulent invoices. As a result of this scheme, Lambert received free plumbing services in the approximate amount of $17,547.57, and Zoby was reimbursed this amount from the city of Norfolk funds. Zoby has previously pled guilty and will be sentenced on July 10, 2013, in United States District Court in Norfolk.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Seidel, Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.