Newton Man Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

NEWTON, MA — A Newton man pleaded guilty Thursday in connection with defrauding the federal government, according to Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel Mendell.

Benedetto Valente, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Valenta is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing Sept. 8. He was originally charged on April 22.

Valente arranged to award contracts for scaffolding and masonry repair to a family member, and submitted fake bids, so his family member could get the contracts, and diverted a subcontract awarded to another contractor to his family member at an inflated price.

Mendell's office said Valente schemed to defraud the U.S. General Services Administration, as well as the company he worked for, by causing expenses to be billed that neither General Services Administration, nor the company actually incurred.

Valenta admitted to inflating payroll expenses and charging items he used in his personal business and then creating fake documents to make it appear that those items were intended for General Services Administration.

If convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Previously: Newton Man Accused Of Wire Fraud