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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

Bechtel Corporation

Cila v. Bechtel (Big Dig Wrongful Death)

Date: 09/11/2006 (Date of Filing)

Misconduct Type: Poor Contract Performance

Enforcement Agency: Non-Governmental

Contracting Party: Multiple Agencies

Court Type: Civil

Amount: Unknown

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: The widow of Vincent Cila, who died in an accident in the Boston Big Dig tunnel system in July 2005, filed a lawsuit against the state turnpike authority, Bechtel and other construction companies alleging his death was caused by defectively-designed handrails that line about 6 miles of the tunnels. Cila, a Massachusetts state trooper, hit a handrail post in a motorcycle crash and died from his injuries. In November 2010, it was reported that the case settled out of court for $9 million.