Ex-Army depot civilian charged in kickback

[unhappycamper]

Ex-Army depot civilian charged in kickback
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 27, 2007 10:49:24 EST

SCRANTON, Pa. — A former Tobyhanna Army Depot civilian employee was charged with accepting more than $80,000 in illegal payments from a British defense contractor, federal prosecutors announced Monday.

Richard Feola, 60, formerly of Dunmore, was arraigned Monday and pleaded not guilty to 27 charges, including acceptance of unlawful gratuities and money laundering. He was released on his own recognizance.

Feola, who now lives in Nebraska, worked as an information technology specialist at the army depot in northeastern Pennsylvania until his retirement earlier this year.

Prosecutors said Feola prepared bid documents seeking the purchase of computer equipment from Thruput Ltd., a company based in Bristol, England.

Between 2000 and 2005, the Army awarded eight contracts to Thruput totaling more than $300,000. After the first two contracts were awarded, Thruput owner Michael Clery wired Feola nearly $6,000, according to the indictment. Clery went on to send Feola a total of $83,332, the indictment said.

Clery was charged with paying unlawful gratuities and money laundering. He has not yet been arrested on the charges.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_kickback_07112...