Owner, companies plead guilty to US contract fraud

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Nebraska businessman and two construction companies he controlled pleaded guilty to criminal charges, admitting to a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in contracts that were meant to go to companies run by disabled veterans.

Ram Hingorani pleaded guilty to major program fraud Friday under an agreement that is expected to resolve a long-running case in federal court in Des Moines. Midwest Paving, Inc., pleaded guilty to money laundering, while Midwest Contracting, Inc., pleaded guilty to major program fraud and wire fraud.