N.Y. Ferry to Settle Sept. 11 Claims

[DoYouEverWonder]

July 17, 2006, 9:45 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- The nation's largest privately held ferry service will pay about $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of defrauding the government after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The settlement, announced Monday by federal prosecutors, calls for the Port Imperial Ferry Corp., which does business as New York Waterway, to pay the government about $16,000 a month for the next seven years.

The suit, filed last year, accused New York Waterway of overcharging the government for emergency ferry service after the 2001 attacks by exaggerating its costs for such things as payroll and fuel.

It also alleged New York Waterway claimed $8.4 million in losses from the terrorist attacks though the company's records showed that it turned a $5.6 million profit in 2001, $3 million higher than 2000.

The false claims caused the Department of Homeland Security to give New York Waterway $358,178 for losses it had not suffered, the government said.

In a statement, New York Waterway President Arthur E. Imperatore said the company conducted itself honestly during distressing times but decided to settle the lawsuit to avoid a costly court fight.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-attacks-ferry-settlement,0,4152253.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

The ferry boats actually provided an invaluable service on 9-11 and saved countless lives, yet Bush cronies continue to rip off the US for billions of dollars and there is no accountability. I guess DHS needs a few scapegoats to make it look like they actually do something.

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Ahhh, c'mon! Who's yer * Vice * President?

>>>>In a statement, New York Waterway President Arthur E. Imperatore said the company conducted itself honestly during distressing times but decided to settle the lawsuit to avoid a costly court fight.>>>>

Bill O'Reilly ??