Prosecutors: Couple took $8M grants for fake energy projects

BOSTON – Federal prosecutors say a Massachusetts couple tried to defraud the government out of more than $50 million in clean energy grants.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says Christopher Condron and Jessica Metivier were arrested Thursday on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims.

Prosecutors say from May 2009 to June 2013, the couple submitted fake applications to the U.S. Treasury Department for tax-free grants aimed at helping fund clean energy projects. The grants were from a program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Prosecutors say the couple asked for $50 million to recover some of the costs and received about $8 million.

Condron’s attorney hasn’t commented on the charges. Metivier’s attorney tells The Boston Globe his client intends to plead not guilty.