FCDL Comment:
Based on the June 16, 2008 Plea Agreement in U.S. v. Tyrone Pipkin, Gloria Harper, Global Networking Technology, Inc., and Computer Training & Associates, Inc., USAC is denying the funding requests for services to be provided by Global Networking Technology, Inc. (GNT). In the Plea Agreement, the parties agreed to give up the right to seek reimbursement from USAC for services provided for E-Rate projects and release any associated claims. Furthermore, Ms. Harper and Mr. Pipkin, both individually and through any business entity, agreed to cease performing any work related to contracts that are funded through the E-rate program, participating in any activities associated with or related to the E-rate program, and seeking or receiving any funding from the E-Rate for a period of three years starting on June 16, 2008, the date of the plea agreement. (Mr. Pipkin and Ms. Harper were the sole owners of GNT.) USAC has determined that since the parties were barred from performing services for and receiving reimbursement for these FY 2007 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008) funding requests, the requests must be denied as a result of the plea agreement.