Hanford Contractor Agrees to $5 Million Settlement Over False Billing

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions must pay the U.S. Department of Energy for hours not actually worked over the past decade.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A Hanford contractor has agreed to pay roughly $5 million in a settlement over the company charging the U.S. Department of Energy for hours not actually worked during the past 10 years. Hanford Mission Integration Solutions must pay the feds roughly $3.45 million, including $1.73 million in restitution, while paying another almost $1.5 million to a whistleblower and his attorneys.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues with fraud and mismanagement at the Hanford nuclear site, one of the most contaminated places in the United States. While the financial settlement resolves the false billing, concerns remain about the reliability of critical fire suppression systems at the facility.

The details

The absence of work and false labor costs began in 2016 under Mission Support Alliance, which handled building maintenance across the 580-square-mile nuclear cleanup site. These practices continued when Hanford Mission Integration Solutions took over the contract. A Hanford employee specializing in fire sprinkler systems noticed numerous systems were not being properly maintained, while managers were instructing workers to bill for up to 10 hours of work for tasks that only took 2-4 hours.

  • The false billing practices began in 2016 under Mission Support Alliance.
  • Hanford Mission Integration Solutions took over the contract in a later year, continuing the fraudulent billing.

The players

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions

A Hanford contractor that agreed to pay $5 million in a settlement over false billing.

Bradley Keever

A Hanford employee specializing in fire sprinkler systems who noticed numerous systems were not being properly maintained and managers were instructing workers to bill for more hours than were actually worked.

Leidos, Inc.; Center Group; Parsons Government Services; Lockheed Martin; Wackenhut Services; and Jacobs Engineering Group

Umbrella corporations that were named as defendants in the case, as they are subsidiaries of the companies involved.

Hanford Challenge

A Seattle-based watchdog organization that expressed concerns about the reliability of fire suppression systems at the Hanford site, even after the fraud settlement.

Pete Serrano

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington, who stated that corporate fraud at Hanford distracts from the Department of Energy's vital cleanup mission.

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What they’re saying

“Corporate fraud perpetrated upon the taxpayer at Hanford distracts from DOE's vital clean up mission. I hope every individual and business that contracts with the federal government sees this settlement and knows there's a real risk of prosecution when the United States is defrauded.”

— Pete Serrano, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington (News release)

“Workers at the Hanford site were highly trained, specialized, and willing to provide a public service to keep our community safe. Management at the nuclear site derailed their ability, and it cost the taxpayer millions.”

— Nikolas Peterson, Executive director of Hanford Challenge (Press release)

“Although the fraud aspect of this case is now final, the underlying safety concerns remain unresolved. We remain concerned about the quality and consistency of fire suppression system maintenance. If fire suppression systems at Hanford are unreliable, it's not just a technical failure, it's a systemic one.”

— Nikolas Peterson, Executive director of Hanford Challenge (Press release)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Hanford Mission Integration Solutions to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of fraud and mismanagement at the Hanford nuclear site, one of the most contaminated places in the United States. While the financial settlement resolves the false billing, concerns remain about the reliability of critical safety systems at the facility, underscoring the need for greater oversight and accountability in government contracting.