CONCORD - Dave Bardzik, 56, of Ossipee, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statement in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic coast of the United States. In addition to causing widespread property damage, the storm had substantial impacts on the New England fishing industry. Pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the United States Commerce Secretary declared a fishery disaster and Congress approved fishery disaster relief funds. Operators of both commercial and “for hire" vessels in New Hampshire were provided information on how to apply for a share of those funds. Required criteria included that “for hire" vessels, like Bardzik’s, must have taken at least 15 trips in three of the previous four years in which at least one New England groundfish species was harvested.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bardzik submitted several false and/or altered records to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in June 2015 in an attempt to qualify for the allotted funds. Investigators immediately noted discrepancies between the June 2015 submission and the previous, contemporaneous records Bardzik had completed in 2013. When confronted by investigators, Bardzik admitted that he created the false and/or altered records because he would otherwise not have qualified for funds.
Bardzik will be sentenced on February 5, 2019
“When the federal government provides funds for disaster relief, that is not an invitation to commit fraud," said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who provide false information in order to obtain disaster relief money are committing a crime. We work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that benefits only go to those who are entitled to receive them."
This matter was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement with assistance from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
