Former U.S. Army Major Indicted for Bribery in Support of Iraq War Efforts

A shocking case of corruption within the U.S. Army has come to light as Derrick L. Shoemake, a former U.S. Army Major, pleaded guilty to bribery charges in relation to his work as a contracting officer’s representative in Kuwait from 2004 to 2006.

According to court documents, Major Shoemake, 49, of Moreno Valley, California, was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he was responsible for coordinating and accepting delivery of bottled water in support of U.S. troops in Iraq. It is alleged that Shoemake agreed to assist a contractor with his delivery of bottled water in exchange for a total of approximately $215,000, most of which was delivered to his designee in Los Angeles.

Additionally, Shoemake received an additional $35,000 from a second contractor for his perceived influence over the award of bottled water contracts in Afghanistan. In total, Shoemake admitted to receiving approximately $250,000 from the two government contractors in 2005 and 2006.

Shoemake faces up to 15 years in prison for each bribery count, as well as a fine of $250,000 or three times the monetary equivalent of the thing of value. He has also agreed to criminal forfeiture of $250,000 to the United States. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court.

This case is part of a larger investigation that has resulted in 17 individuals, including Shoemake, pleading guilty or being found guilty at trial for their roles in the schemes at Camp Arifjan.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Richard B. Evans of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and Trial Attorneys Mark W. Pletcher and Emily W. Allen of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The investigation is being led by the Army Criminal Investigations Division, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and others.

In a statement, the prosecution revealed that the case highlights the importance of accountability within the U.S. military and the need for strong enforcement of laws and regulations.

Shoemake’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the U.S. Army’s reputation and raises questions about the effectiveness of current procedures in place to prevent corruption within the military.

The case is a stark reminder that corruption knows no bounds, and those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain will be held accountable.

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