A Shrewsbury company will pay $7.6 million under a consent judgement for its role in making false statements to obtain government contracts that were set aside for businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Aug. 2.
As alleged in the government’s complaint: VE Source, LLC; the company’s owners, Sherman Barton and Christopher Neary; and a related entity, Vertical Source, LLC, defrauded the federal government by falsely claiming VE Source was eligible for government contracts that were set aside for companies owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
VE Source obtained contracts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Defense Logistics Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Defense, totaling more than $16.5 million.
By obtaining contracts for which they were ineligible, the government alleged that VE Source, Neary and Barton undercut the express Congressional purpose in enacting laws intended to encourage the award of federal contracts to businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
In the resolution announced on Aug. 2, VE Source agreed to a consent judgment for $7.6 million in conjunction with its role in the scheme.
The United States entered a separate settlement agreement with Neary, Barton and Vertical Source under which Neary will pay $120,000, Barton will pay $75,000 and Vertical Source will pay $180,000 to resolve claims made in a civil lawsuit filed by the United States under the False Claims Act, according to a press release from Sellinger’s office.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ) will hold its 16th annual beach volleyball tournament on Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street Beach in Manasquan.
This annual event, presented by Starbucks, Surf Taco and Gee Gee’s Deli, brings the community together for a day on the beach while raising funds for BBBSCNNJ’s one-to-one mentoring programs. Sponsorships are available and range from $100 to $2,500, according to a press release.
Teams of six to eight people will compete and each member of a team is asked to raise a minimum of $100 ($75 for students) to participate.
The tournament will feature a competitive bracket and a recreational bracket with cash prizes donated by Surf Taco and Keith Walsh Plumbing and Heating. The first place competitive team will win $1,000 cash and the first place recreational team will win $600 cash. Both teams along with the highest fundraising team will receive a trophy.
Returning sponsors are Keith Walsh Plumbing and Heating, Fortune Title Agency, Vin Gopal Civic Association, English Properties and Leggetts. For sponsorship opportunities visit the event website at www.mentornj.org/volleyball. For more information, call 732-447-9144.
The public is invited to attend the tournament and cheer on the teams. Competitors will enjoy breakfast, lunch, giveaways, music and prizes. BBBSCNNJ is a donor-supported volunteer agency that is currently serving 1,200 children.
Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), whose district includes portions of Monmouth County, will host U.S. Service Academy Day on Sept. 17 at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo Pier Complex. The event will provide a forum for students who are interested in attending a U.S. service academy.
“Each year, U.S. Service Academy Day inspires young people in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District to come out and explore the vast opportunities our service academies offer,” Pallone said.
“An education at these excellent institutions prepares graduates to assume some of the highest responsibilities of command and service in our military. I take these nominations very seriously because our nation’s service academies are some of the highest caliber institutions committed to graduating leaders of character, honor and integrity,” he said.
According to a press release, the event will focus on the admissions process, steps to obtaining a Congressional nomination, and lifestyles as cadets or midshipmen at the academies.
Interested students will have the opportunity to personally meet with representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a local ROTC representative.
Doors open at 10 a.m. and presentations will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. To register, RSVP via email to [email protected] by Sept. 1. Reservations for the event are required. Additional information will be required upon registration, according to the press release.
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill (S-2364) into law to extend expanded permissions for restaurants, bars, distilleries and breweries to use fixtures and equipment enabling them to serve patrons outdoors in private areas, on sidewalks, and in other municipally designated outdoor areas.
The permissions were set to expire on Nov. 30, but will now be extended by two additional years to support the food and beverage industry, patrons and local communities by facilitating opportunities to serve customers outdoors, according to a press release from Murphy’s office.
The Governor authorized municipalities to enable the expansion of outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect residents while supporting food and beverage establishments. Many business owners have continued to offer outdoor dining since beginning to offer outdoor seating during the summer of 2020, according to the press release.
The new legislation will authorize continued use of fixtures such as tents, canopies, umbrellas, tables and chairs for outdoor dining until Nov. 30, 2024, extending a law that was signed by Murphy in February 2021, according to the press release.