Florida Resident Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements To Federal Government To Defraud USVI Contractor

ST. THOMAS — Adrian L. Foster, 50, of Florida, pleaded guilty in United States District Court before Judge Curtis Gomez, to one count of making a false statement to a federal agency, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.

According to court documents, Foster was the president and chief executive officer of Foster Construction of South Florida, Inc., located in Miami, FL. In 2013, Foster entered into contracts to facilitate the completion of two projects in the Virgin Islands National Park in Cruz Bay, St. John, VI. Between 2013 and 2016, Foster falsified multiple certifications to the National Park Service (NPS) and misappropriated federal funds from NPS that were designated to a U.S. Virgin Islands construction company.

Foster faces a maximum sentence of 5 year’s incarceration. She also faces a minimum period of supervised release of 3 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Additionally, Foster has agreed to pay full restitution, plus interest, to the victim construction company. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2019.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mervin A. Bourne, Jr.