Two get prison in Haley scandal

One of them could be deported for the kickback scheme.

By CARRIE WEIMAR, Times Staff Writer
Published August 7, 2007

TAMPA - Joel Velasco told authorities he was guilty of accepting kickbacks when he was helping build a $20-million project at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center.

But that didn't stop him from proclaiming his innocence during a sentencing hearing Monday. And it didn't stop a judge from sending him to prison for 18 months.

Velasco, 64, of Tallahassee, told U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday he never knew there was a law prohibiting kickbacks on government contracts. He said the practice was so common, every contractor could be charged.

"Every one of them is breaking this law," Velasco said. "Every single one of them."

Velasco blamed his employer, Dawson Building Contractors, and the government for not informing him about the law.

That sparked the ire of Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mosakowski, who said Velasco went to great lengths to cover up his crime.

"He knew his conduct was wrong," Mosakowski said.

Merryday was also unmoved by Velasco's speech. Along with the 18 months in prison, he imposed a $4,000 fine.

Merryday also sentenced the president of the company accused of offering the kickback, Hans Sigvardsson.

Sigvardsson was the president of Liko Inc., a subcontractor on the 70-bed Spinal Cord Injury Center at Haley, which opened in 2002.

In March, a federal jury found Sigvardsson guilty of fraud and offering a kickback. His company was found guilty of the same offenses.

In court Monday, Sigvardsson told Merryday he deeply regretted his actions.

"I ask you for leniency and mercy," Sigvardsson said.

Sigvardsson's attorney, Robert Ullman, requested a sentence of six months. Mosakowski asked for 11 months. Merryday settled on nine months, plus a $10,000 fine. Sigvardsson, who is Swedish, also faces the risk of deportation. Merryday imposed a $63,000 fine on Liko.

Carrie Weimar can be reached at 813 226-3416 or cweimar@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 7, 2007, 00:02:56]