Curtis Whiteford, Bribery Conspiracy, New Jersey 2008

Bribery Scheme Unfolds: Former U.S. Army Officer Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

TRENTON, New Jersey – In a shocking turn of events, Curtis Whiteford, a former colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, was sentenced to five years in prison for his participation in a wide-ranging bribery conspiracy in Al-Hillah, Iraq.

According to the indictment, Whiteford, 53, of Deweyville, Utah, conspired with at least three others, including former U.S. Army Lt. Col. Debra M. Harrison, former U.S. Army Reserves Lt. Col. Michael Wheeler, and civilians William Driver and Seymour Morris Jr., to rig the bids on contracts being awarded by the Coalition Provisional Authority-South Central Region (CPA-SC) so that more than 20 contracts were awarded to Philip H. Bloom, a U.S. citizen who owned and operated several companies in Iraq and Romania.

The scheme, which took place from December 2003 to December 2005, resulted in Bloom receiving approximately $8 million in rigged contracts. In return, Bloom provided Whiteford, Harrison, Wheeler, and others with more than $1 million in cash, SUVs, sports cars, a motorcycle, jewelry, computers, business class airline tickets, liquor, promise of future employment with Bloom, and other items of value.

U.S. District Court Judge Mary L. Cooper for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division, also ordered Whiteford to pay $16,200 in restitution and to serve two years of supervised release following his prison term.

These cases are being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys John P. Pearson and Kevin Driscoll of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, as well as Trial Attorney Ann C. Brickley. The cases are being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Whiteford was charged in a 25-count indictment unsealed on February 7, 2007, and was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery and the interstate transport of stolen property (ITSP) on November 7, 2008. His sentencing marks the latest development in a long-running investigation into corruption in Iraq.

Other defendants in the case have also received prison time for their roles in the scheme. Robert Stein, a co-conspirator, was sentenced to nine years in prison for related charges of conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering. Philip Bloom, another co-conspirator, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for related charges of conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering. Lt. Col. Bruce Hopfengardner, a co-conspirator, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for conspiracy and money laundering related to this scheme.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in government contracting and the consequences of corruption in public office.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Curtis Whiteford

• Crime: Bribery Conspiracy

• City and State: Trenton, New Jersey

• Date: November 7, 2008 (sentencing)

• Sentence: Five years in prison, $16,200 in restitution, and two years of supervised release

• Dollar Amounts: $8 million in rigged contracts, more than $1 million in cash and goods

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Public Corruption|White Collar Crime

Vadim Mikerin, Money Laundering Conspiracy, Maryland 2023

Dec 15, 2015

Public Corruption|White Collar Crime

Charles E. Spann, Theft of Government Money, Louisiana 2024

Jul 25, 2016

Public Corruption|White Collar Crime

City of Walnut, Religious Discrimination, California 2008

Sep 13, 2010

Public Corruption|White Collar Crime

Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, Antisemitic Incidents, New York 2023

Mar 13, 2025