Days after being raided by the FBI, a West Side construction company has closed its doors, NBC 5 has learned.
Krahl Construction is a $100+ million-per-year company specializing in interior construction for office buildings and health care companies.
In a memo to employees, a company executive said simply that the company is no longer in business.
"Krahl Construction is no longer in business as of Friday, January 08, 2010," wrote Chief Operating Officer Jason Campbell. "For the employees with company vehicles, computers and phones you will need to bring them to the main office of Monday, January 11th, 2010....I would like to thank you for your service and hard work throughout the years."
Campbell said he was instructed by company president John Paderta to send the e-mail to Chicago employees. It's unclear whether the closure also affects the company's office in Denver.
"I'd really prefer not to talk about it anymore," Campbell said when reached by phone. Attempts to reach Paderta have not been successful.
On Tuesday, FBI agents armed with a search warrant questioned employees at the offices of Krahl Construction for several hours, a bureau spokesman confirmed.
Chicago FBI spokesman Ross Rice said the employees were questioned as part of an "ongoing criminal investigation," and confirms only that agents were "looking for evidence of a crime."
Local
Krahl voluntarily shut its office, at 322 S. Green St., on Tuesday. Employees were ordered into a conference room initially so that agents could work without fear that an employee would try to hide or shred evidence, according to a source.
One of its biggest current projects is an old RR Donnelly building at 350 E. Cermak Rd., according to a source familiar with Krahl's business. That location, near McCormick Place, is being converted to a data center.
No charges were filed Tuesday.
Krahl Construction had an A+ rating with the Chicago Better Business Bureau.
