BMT (RIP)
10-18-2005, 17:51
October 15, 2005
Military investigating contractor kickbacks in special forces
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — The Special Operations Command is investigating whether troops received inferior equipment because of a contractor charged with taking bribes from defense companies.
The command, based at MacDill Air Force Base, said Friday it would review all contracts handled by William Burke, who was in charge of determining which equipment was tested and used by special forces like Green Berets and Navy SEALs.
Burke, 49, pleaded guilty Friday to bribery and agreed to identify associates in the scheme. He could face up to 15 years in prison. He and his attorney declined to comment after the plea hearing.
Command spokesman Col. Sam Taylor said Burke “worked on what can best be described as soldier systems, which includes things like lightweight communications systems, ammunition, small arms, etc.”
“SoCom takes all allegations of wrongdoing seriously and will, as it did in this case, ensure they are thoroughly investigated and the appropriate action is taken,” Taylor said.
Burke worked for Virginia-based Sentel Corp., a company that employs about 300 people nationwide. He started working at the command in 1999, ranking equipment that deserved federal contracts.
Federal prosecutors say Burke gave preferential treatment to defense companies represented by an unindicted co-conspirator in exchange for a $3,000 bribe in January. He also accepted another $9,000 for providing market research, they said.
Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa, said the ongoing investigation seeks to answer several questions, including whether companies given preferential treatment were aware they were paying a bribe and which companies were involved.
Cole said the command initiated the investigation but declined to say when it began or what prompted it. Agencies involved include the Pentagon inspector general, the command’s criminal investigators and the FBI.
Sentel president James Garrett said in a statement that Burke was acting without the company’s knowledge.
“Sentel has a long, successful history of working with the federal government and we do not tolerate unethical or illegal behavior from our employees,” he said.
:munchin
Military investigating contractor kickbacks in special forces
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — The Special Operations Command is investigating whether troops received inferior equipment because of a contractor charged with taking bribes from defense companies.
The command, based at MacDill Air Force Base, said Friday it would review all contracts handled by William Burke, who was in charge of determining which equipment was tested and used by special forces like Green Berets and Navy SEALs.
Burke, 49, pleaded guilty Friday to bribery and agreed to identify associates in the scheme. He could face up to 15 years in prison. He and his attorney declined to comment after the plea hearing.
Command spokesman Col. Sam Taylor said Burke “worked on what can best be described as soldier systems, which includes things like lightweight communications systems, ammunition, small arms, etc.”
“SoCom takes all allegations of wrongdoing seriously and will, as it did in this case, ensure they are thoroughly investigated and the appropriate action is taken,” Taylor said.
Burke worked for Virginia-based Sentel Corp., a company that employs about 300 people nationwide. He started working at the command in 1999, ranking equipment that deserved federal contracts.
Federal prosecutors say Burke gave preferential treatment to defense companies represented by an unindicted co-conspirator in exchange for a $3,000 bribe in January. He also accepted another $9,000 for providing market research, they said.
Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa, said the ongoing investigation seeks to answer several questions, including whether companies given preferential treatment were aware they were paying a bribe and which companies were involved.
Cole said the command initiated the investigation but declined to say when it began or what prompted it. Agencies involved include the Pentagon inspector general, the command’s criminal investigators and the FBI.
Sentel president James Garrett said in a statement that Burke was acting without the company’s knowledge.
“Sentel has a long, successful history of working with the federal government and we do not tolerate unethical or illegal behavior from our employees,” he said.
:munchin