https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/houston-scientist-settles-grant-fraud-allegations
HOUSTON – A local scientist and his southwest Houston invention and technology company have agreed to pay nearly $150,000 to resolve allegations they defrauded the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Navy, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Dr. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, 40, is the owner and chief scientist at C-Crete Technologies Ltd. in Stafford. Today, he has paid $147,589 to settle allegations they violated the False Claims Act.
“Fraud targeting grants and loans for small business development has an outsized impact on recipients and those left out,” said Patrick. “Some deserving and legitimate small business missed out because this man lied. The taxpayer is now being made right.”
Shahsavari and C-Crete allegedly made material misrepresentations to NSF and the Navy in applications for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards in 2015 and 2016. STTR and SBIR programs are highly competitive federal programs. They are designed to encourage small, independent and domestically owned businesses through the investment of federal funds to conduct research and development in areas that further United States interests, including those concerning national health, welfare and defense. Only qualified small businesses that meet strict program requirements are eligible for awards.
STTR and SBIR award applicants are required to designate an employee as the principal investigator for the proposed research. His/her qualifications and credentials are a key component of award decisions. STTR award applicants must also have a subaward agreement with a collaborating research partner.
HOUSTON – A local scientist and his southwest Houston invention and technology company have agreed to pay nearly $150,000 to resolve allegations they defrauded the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Navy, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Dr. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, 40, is the owner and chief scientist at C-Crete Technologies Ltd. in Stafford. Today, he has paid $147,589 to settle allegations they violated the False Claims Act.
“Fraud targeting grants and loans for small business development has an outsized impact on recipients and those left out,” said Patrick. “Some deserving and legitimate small business missed out because this man lied. The taxpayer is now being made right.”
Shahsavari and C-Crete allegedly made material misrepresentations to NSF and the Navy in applications for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards in 2015 and 2016. STTR and SBIR programs are highly competitive federal programs. They are designed to encourage small, independent and domestically owned businesses through the investment of federal funds to conduct research and development in areas that further United States interests, including those concerning national health, welfare and defense. Only qualified small businesses that meet strict program requirements are eligible for awards.
STTR and SBIR award applicants are required to designate an employee as the principal investigator for the proposed research. His/her qualifications and credentials are a key component of award decisions. STTR award applicants must also have a subaward agreement with a collaborating research partner.
