Anthony Thelen, current co-owner and executive of Surveying Solutions Inc. (SSI), and Adam Ball, a former owner and executive of the same company, have pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) through contracts managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Gorgon was joined in announcing the pleas by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Michigan Division, and Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge for the USDOT’s Midwestern Region.
Ball, 48, from Saginaw, Michigan, and Thelen, 47, from Pewamo, Michigan, admitted guilt to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. On July 28, 2025, their co-defendants Jeffrey Bartlett, Brian Bartlett, and Andrew Semenchuk also entered guilty pleas.
According to information disclosed during plea hearings, from February 2011 through July 2019 Ball and Thelen—along with their co-defendants—operated SSI as a surveying firm that received millions in highway construction contracts from MDOT. These contracts were primarily funded with federal money via USDOT. During this period they engaged in fraudulent overbilling practices that led MDOT to pay millions more than required for services. The false claims included non-existent employee and IT costs as well as inflated equipment and property lease expenses. Additionally, they concealed true ownership details of SSI entities to justify these overcharges.
“Under the terms of the non-prosecution agreement SSI has entered with the United States Attorney’s Office, SSI has agreed to, among other things, enter into an enhanced compliance program, to report to the government regarding remediation and implementation of their enhanced compliance program, and to pay $1.1 million in a monetary penalty. If SSI satisfies the terms of the agreement, the company will not be charged criminally.”
The decision for a non-prosecution agreement considered several factors including SSI’s cooperation during investigations conducted by federal agencies such as the FBI and USDOT Office of Inspector General. SSI also undertook remedial actions like reorganizing under new management and establishing measures aimed at preventing future fraud.
“This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karen L. Reyolds, T. Patrick Martin, William Vailliencourt, and K. Craig Welkener.”
