Minority and women-owned business participation on construction projects has become a hot-button topic. Many government-funded projects set participation goals for underrepresented groups, while the industry has tried to change its White-guys-only image with diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Hal Goldsmith, assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri who is prosecuting the case, said his office has received complaints of minority business enterprise fraud in the construction industry for years.
