Bret J. Tratchel also was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $35,801 in restitution to Quaker Transportation Inc., a victim of his scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG).
Tratchel, who was sentenced July 10 in U.S. District Court in Davenport, had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements or representations to the United States in October.
DOT-OIG launched an investigation based on allegations that Tratchel provided false information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when he applied for motor carrier and broker authority. FMCSA requires motor carriers to disclose prior company affiliations. DOT-OIG said Tratchel operated CK Logistics and did not disclose to FMCSA that he also had business interests in BT Ent LLC Inc. and JBT Logistics Inc.
“This scheme allowed Tratchel to confuse his customers, circumvent legitimate registration requirements and operate without proper FMCSA authority. He also submitted false invoices, bills of lading and similar documents to his customers to cause them to pay him fraudulently,” DOT-OIG said.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now