Bellevue construction company paying more than $140K to settle allegations | DOT alleges Tri-State lied about using DBE machinery

Bellevue-based Tri-State Construction agreed to pay more than $140,000 to settle allegations it lied about using machinery belonging to a certified Disadvantage Business Enterprise, when the equipment actually belonged to the company itself.

Bellevue-based Tri-State Construction agreed to pay more than $140,000 to settle allegations it lied about using machinery belonging to a certified Disadvantage Business Enterprise, when the equipment actually belonged to the company itself.

Federal rules require a percentage of transportation funding for state and local agencies to be apportioned to DBE-certified businesses based on established goals. Tri-State Construction claimed it rented a specialized machine from OMA Construction to process and clean wastewater generated during construction of the federally funded Interstate 5 HoV lane project between Port of Tacoma Road and the Pierce/King County line from 2010-14, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A DBE is a small business owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Tri-State Construction agreed on Friday to pay DOT $142,440 to settle the allegations, while not admitting any misconduct. The FBI and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General investigated the case.