Trucking company owner admits to fraud, reincarnated carrier scheme

A Georgia trucking company owner pleaded guilty to charges related to CARES Act fraud and falsifying records.

On April 11, 2024, Georgia resident Roderick Billingslea pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG).

Authorities say that Billingslea made false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in order to receive CARES Act funding. DOT-OIG says that Billingslea received $564,363 in funding through fraudulent means.

Additionally, officials say that Billingslea knowingly made false statements to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Form MCSA-1. The FMCSA ordered a motor carrier owned by Billingslea to cease operations. Billingslea then illegally reincarnated numerous trucking companies in order to sidestep the FMCSA order, DOT-OIG says.

The case was investigated by DOT-OIB, SBA-OIG, and the United States Secret Service.