Former Florida Roofing CEO Gregg Wallick Admits to Criminal Bid Rigging Scheme That Manipulated Millions in Commercial Projects Across Fort Lauderdale

Florida Roofing Executive Admits to Rigging the System.

In a case that underscores how quietly corruption can seep into everyday business, Gregg Wallick, the former president and CEO of a commercial roofing company based in Fort Lauderdale, has admitted to orchestrating a bid-rigging conspiracy in Florida.

His guilty plea was entered in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, bringing a federal antitrust investigation one step closer to sentencing.

Wallick’s admission centers on a scheme that distorted the competitive bidding process for commercial roofing contracts — projects that are especially critical in a hurricane-prone state like Florida, where strong, reliable roofing isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity.

How the Scheme Worked Behind the Scenes

Between at least September 2020 and February 2022, Wallick and several co-conspirators coordinated bids before submitting them to customers.

Instead of competing honestly, they pre-arranged who would win certain projects and who would step aside.

One common tactic they used is known in the industry as “cover bidding” or a “comp.” In simple terms, one company would submit an intentionally inflated bid to make another conspirator’s bid appear competitive and attractive.

To an unsuspecting client, the process looked legitimate — multiple bids, different numbers — but the outcome was manipulated from the start.

As detailed in filings related to the case, the conspiracy allowed Wallick’s company to unlawfully secure more than $3.5 million in business.

Why Bid Rigging Violates Federal Law

Wallick pleaded guilty to violating Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, a cornerstone of U.S. competition law enacted in 1890.

The statute prohibits agreements that restrain trade, including price-fixing, market allocation, and bid rigging.

Antitrust enforcement in the United States is led by the U.S. Department of Justice through its Antitrust Division, often working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation in criminal investigations.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel W. Glad described the conduct bluntly, calling bid rigging “cheating, plain and simple.”

FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the scheme flipped the purpose of competitive bidding on its head.

Why This Matters in Florida

Florida’s commercial roofing market plays an outsized role in public safety and infrastructure resilience.

The state’s vulnerability to hurricanes means property owners often face urgent repair or replacement needs after storms.

Artificially inflated pricing in this environment doesn’t just hurt balance sheets — it can delay projects and strain already stressed businesses and institutions.

When competition is suppressed, customers lose the benefits of true market pricing: better quality, lower costs, and innovation. Instead, they pay more for less transparency.

The Role of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force

The investigation falls within the broader mission of the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a nationwide initiative formed to detect and prosecute antitrust crimes that affect public procurement at the federal, state, and local levels.

Launched in 2019, the PCSF combines prosecutors, investigators, and procurement experts to identify red flags in bidding data — such as identical pricing patterns or rotating winners — that may signal collusion.

Potential Penalties and Sentencing

Wallick pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to restrain trade.

Under federal law, individuals convicted of criminal antitrust violations face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.

A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal judge will determine the penalty after reviewing the U.S.

Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, which can include the amount of financial harm, cooperation with authorities, and prior criminal history.

The case is being prosecuted by trial attorneys Ronald P. Fiorillo II and Lara E.V. Trager of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section.

Impact and Consequences

The fallout from bid rigging extends far beyond one executive:

• Financial harm to customers: Businesses and property owners likely paid inflated prices.
• Market distortion: Honest competitors may have lost contracts despite offering fair pricing.
• Erosion of trust: Public confidence in procurement processes suffers when schemes like this come to light.
• Legal exposure: Co-conspirators may face investigation or prosecution.
• Industry scrutiny: Roofing and construction firms may encounter tighter compliance reviews moving forward.

There’s also a reputational toll. Even after criminal penalties are resolved, executives tied to antitrust violations often find future leadership roles harder to secure.

What’s Next?

The immediate next step is sentencing. Depending on cooperation and other mitigating factors, Wallick could face prison time, financial penalties, or both.

Investigations into related conduct may continue. In many antitrust cases, guilty pleas by one participant can lead to expanded scrutiny of other companies or executives involved.

Meanwhile, federal authorities continue encouraging insiders to come forward.

Under the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, individuals who provide original information leading to criminal fines or recoveries of at least $1 million may qualify for awards ranging from 15% to 30% of the amount collected.

Programs like this are designed to crack conspiracies open from the inside.

Broader Context: Antitrust Enforcement Is Heating Up

In recent years, federal antitrust enforcement has intensified across industries — from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and technology.

Prosecutors have increasingly pursued criminal cases rather than limiting enforcement to civil penalties.

The message is clear: manipulating markets, even in localized industries like commercial roofing, is treated as a serious federal offense.

Summary

Gregg Wallick, a former Florida roofing executive, admitted to participating in a bid-rigging conspiracy that manipulated commercial roofing contracts between 2020 and 2022.

By coordinating bids with competitors and using “cover bids,” the scheme secured over $3.5 million in unlawfully obtained business. He now faces potential prison time and significant fines under federal antitrust law.

The case highlights the Justice Department’s ongoing crackdown on procurement collusion and signals continued scrutiny of anti-competitive conduct in public and private contracting.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Gregg Wallick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rig bids for commercial roofing projects in Florida.
• The scheme ran from at least September 2020 through February 2022.
• Co-conspirators used “cover bids” to create the illusion of competition.
• The conduct violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
• Wallick’s company obtained more than $3.5 million through the illegal scheme.
• He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
• The case is part of a broader federal effort led by the Procurement Collusion Strike Force.
• Whistleblowers may be eligible for financial rewards if they report antitrust violations.