Ashland [UXO] Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charge

PORTLAND - An Ashland defense contractor acknowledged Monday [April 18, 2016] that he bribed a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program manager to secure $171 million in contracts over a decade.

The 73-year-old contractor, who goes by the singular name Sky, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and could face a maximum of five years in prison at his Oct. 11 sentencing. Lawyers for both sides indicated a sentence of about two years is more likely.

Article continued on Mail Tribune

Court documents say Jerry Hodgson, a program manager for the Army Corps in Nebraska, rigged bids on nine contracts. The bribes included a car, an Alaskan fishing expedition, meals and accommodations in Costa Rica and Vietnam and $4,000 in cash, among other items, according to prosecutors. Affidavits filed in 2012 also allege the Skys provided Hodgson with three personal assistants over a span of eight years to fulfill sexual favors for him.

Article continued on Mail Tribune