A U.S. District Court judge in Newark, N.J., on March 3 sentenced Gordon D. McDonald, a former project manager at two New Jersey Superfund sites, to 14 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for "participating in multiple bid-rigging, fraud and kickback schemes" involving subcontract awards, says the U.S. Justice Dept.

McDonald was convicted last September. The agency says the prison term is the longest ever imposed for "an antitrust crime."

Justice says McDonald accepted kickbacks from three subcontractors in exchange for contract awards and bid price information at the Federal Creosote and Diamond Alkali cleanup sites, located in Manville and Newark, respectively.

Justice did not disclose the name of McDonald's former employer, but it is Sevenson Environmental Services Inc., Niagara Falls, N.Y., CEO Alan Elia confirmed to ENR.

Elia termed McDonald a "rogue employee."

Justice says that a total of nine individuals and three firms have pleaded guilty or been convicted related to its probe of contract fraud at the sites.

McDonald could not be reached.

In a separate action unrelated to the Superfund site probes, five Sevenson executives—including former CEO Michael Elia, a cousin of the current chief—pleaded guilty in January to misdemeanor charges for false federal tax filings linked to a company bonus program.

Sentencing is set for May, Alan Elia said.

An attorney for Michael Elia told The Buffalo News the taxes have been paid.