Food supplier to U.S. troops in Afghanistan pays $389 million for fraud

Supreme Foodservice GmBH will pay over $389 million to resolve criminal and civil charges relating to allegations in part that it used a shell corporation to inflate the cost to Uncle Sam of produce served to our troops in Afghanistan. The Complaint, filed by a former company employee, whistleblower Michael Epp, a German citizen, also alleged illegally increasing the cost of bottled water by misrepresenting acquisition discounts.

The result is considered the largest fraud recovery against any contractor relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and against any defense contractor. He is represented by Mogan Vercamp of Cincinnati.

Mr. Epp worked for Supreme in Dubai where its Prime Vendor operation was based. He managed supply chain under the contract until early 2007. Mr. Epp is to receive $16,160,000 pursuant to the False Claims Act relator share provision. The False Claims Act returns billions of dollars to American taxpayers and allows a private citizen to file a case on behalf of the Government.

Jeffrey Newman represents whistleblowers