Two more admit guilt in Division of Highways pay-to-play scheme

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of West Virginia
13 December 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two more individuals pled guilty in federal court today for their role in the Division of Highways pay-to-play scheme, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Mark Rudolph Whitt, 52, of Winfield, West Virginia, was the president and owner of Bayliss and Ramey, Inc., which was awarded the statewide signal maintenance contract in 2009. Whitt admitted today that he used the contract to funnel construction work to Dennis Corporation. He benefited financially for helping to conceal the illegal flow of funds from the Division of Highways to Dennis Corporation. He pled guilty to one count of “Wire Fraud Conspiracy.” He faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

James Travis Miller, 40, of Hurricane, West Virginia, worked for the Division of Highways before leaving to work for Dennis Corporation. He admitted today that he delivered covert payments to Bruce Kenney in exchange for official actions that were done in favor of Dennis Corporation. He pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.” He faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Sarah W. Montoro prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the West Virginia State Police.

Citizens with information regarding public corruption in their community are encouraged to call the West Virginia Public Corruption Hotline at 855-WVA-FEDS (855-982-3337), or to send an email to wvafeds@usdoj.gov.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.