Owner of multiple NYC waste companies pleads guilty to bribery charge

A New York City-based waste hauling tycoon has pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court for bribery.

On Feb. 17, George Kalergios, the owner of several waste hauling companies in the area, including Queens-based Zeus Waste Management Inc., pleaded guilty via videoconference to bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a scheme to secure waste management contracts from a local college.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the businessman agreed to bribe the facilities director of an unnamed New York City college to grant Zeus the exclusive right to remove the campus’ waste.

Specifically, Kalergios agreed to pay the facilities director 10 percent of any payments that the college made to Zeus under any contracts directed to the company. 

In July 2018, the facilities director awarded a three-year contract to the waste management company that gave it the exclusive right to remove non-hazardous waste from the college’s campus. Between July 2018 and March 2019, pursuant to their agreement, Kalergios made multiple cash payments to the facilities director totaling approximately $11,095.

“The defendant’s bribery scheme deprived a local college of the honest services of its contractors and employees,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme. “[Kalergios’] guilty plea demonstrates that those who engage in criminal corruption to enrich themselves at the expense of institutions in our communities will be held accountable.”

When sentenced, Kalergios faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment. In addition, Kalergios has agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $110,955.