RALEIGH, N.C. – A former Army Captain, previously stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, and his wife’s company, White Board Solutions, pled guilty to federal charges today before United States Magistrate Judge Robert Numbers, II.
According to court documents, John Raymond Meier, age 33, was serving as a supply officer in the Third Special Forces Group when his wife, Nicole Anderson Meier, age 34, conducted business with the Army. Under the business name, White Board Solutions, an entity formed in the State of Washington under her maiden name, Nicole Meier agreed to provide three weeks of advanced commercial driver’s training for soldiers who transported supplies to support Third Group’s mission. During 2018, White Board Solutions negotiated six purchase agreements with the Army and received approximately $149,970. Under these agreements, White Board Solutions was required to rent the trucks and provide advanced training. White Board Solutions rented the trucks, but it never provided any advanced training. Since an estimated cost of renting the trucks was only $67,124, the Army overpaid White Board Solutions by $82,845.60. Both defendants have agreed to pay that amount in restitution to the Army.
Nicole Meier, on behalf of White Board Solutions, pled guilty to Theft of Government Property. The entity faces a maximum sentence of five years’ probation and a $500,000 fine.
In addition to the truck training contracts, Captain Meier helped his wife sell other items, like ratchet strips, magazines, firing adapters, targets and ink cartridges to the Army. During the plea hearing, the government told the court about several email communications between the couple. On one occasion, Captain Meier forwarded a request he received in his official capacity for M4 magazines to his wife with instructions for her to find the items and how much she could charge the Army. On another occasion, Captain Meier provided his wife with quotes from other vendors to assure she would submit a lower quote and obtain the Army’s business.
Captain Meier pled guilty to performing official acts affecting a personal financial interest. He faces a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge of the Mid-Atlantic Field Office for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, stated that “John Meier abused his position of public trust for personal gain, diverted proceeds meant to support the warfighter, and undermined the very principles he swore to defend as a U.S. Army officer.”
Floyd Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of the Southeast and Caribbean Regional Investigations Office for the US General Services Administration Office of Inspector General stated that, “GSA and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the integrity of the government procurement process and will steadfastly pursue fraud schemes that rob the American taxpayers.”
G. Norman Acker, III Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina said, “The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all federal employees who abuse their positions of trust are uncovered and fully prosecuted.”
The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the US General Services Administration Office of Inspector General and the US Army Criminal Investigation Command are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan B. Menzer is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-00276-D-1.
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| Component | USAO - North Carolina, Eastern; |
| OIG | Department of Defense OIG |