Overview
- Michael Muller, 59, and vendor John Colantuoni, 60, were arrested as prosecutors unsealed charges including bribery, honest-services mail fraud conspiracy, extortion, and obstruction.
- Muller made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, while Colantuoni appeared in Tampa and is to appear in Boston at a later date.
- Prosecutors allege Muller took more than $870,000 in bribes between 2010 and 2021, including cash, checks, a $15,000 used pickup truck, $85,000 in building materials, and a job for his adult child.
- The indictment details inflated invoices and kickbacks, including padded power-washing bills, a $189,444 payment for unperformed snow-clearing, and 5% kickbacks routed through fake landscaping invoices.
- Court papers do not identify the transportation contractor; BPS says it notified law enforcement in 2022, ensured Muller’s firing, cooperated with investigators, and adopted a 2023 contract with stronger payment oversight, while authorities note defendants are presumed innocent and list maximum penalties up to 20 years on certain counts.