Former city water supervisor indicted

A federal grand jury in San Francisco on Thursday indicted a long-time City of Sonoma employee with mail fraud stemming from a multi-year kickback scheme with a parts vendor in Novato.
According to the indictment, Randall Cover, 46, was Sonoma’s Water Operations Supervisor from 2000 to 2007. One of Cover’s job responsibilities was to negotiate contracts with vendors for parts that were needed for various capital improvement projects undertaken by the City. Cover is alleged to have steered Sonoma City contracts to a Novato parts vendor, Underground Express, in exchange for approximately $102,795.
Additionally, according to the indictment, Mr. Cover undermined the competitive bidding process for city contracts by helping Underground Express consistently submit low bids and thus receive city business.
Cover’s initial appearance in federal court for an arraignment and setting bail is scheduled for Nov. 13. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of mail fraud is 20 years and a fine of $250,00, plus restitution.
The prosecution is the result of a 18-month investigation by the FBI and the Sonoma Police Department.