Hugo Hernandez Alonso, Bribery, California 2014

The presidents of two government contracting companies, as well as the companies themselves, were sentenced today for bribing the so-called ‘Godfather’ of Camp Pendleton in exchange for millions of dollars in construction and service contracts at Camp Pendleton and other federal facilities.

At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia sentenced Hugo Hernandez Alonso, president of Hugo Alonso, Inc. (HAI), to one year in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of almost $127,000. His company was sentenced to five years of probation and the same fine, which could be offset by payment of Alonso’s individual fine.

Bayani Yabut Abueg, Jr., president of MBR Associates, Inc. (MBRA), was sentenced to six months in prison, three years supervised release, $105,025 in restitution to the IRS and a fine of $366,140. His company was sentenced to five years of probation plus a $375,000 fine, which could be offset by payment of Abueg’s individual fine.

The judge ordered both men, who are free on bond, to self-surrender by January 2, 2015.

Alonso, Abueg, their respective companies, and Natividad Cervantes, who was known as the ‘Godfather’ of Camp Pendleton, all pleaded guilty in January, each admitting their parts in the bribery-kickback scheme. Cervantes is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Battaglia on July 24, 2014.

According to Alonso’s plea agreement, the bribes were made in connection with the awarding of at least six government construction and service contracts from 2008 to 2011.

In addition, Alonso, Abueg and their respective companies pleaded guilty to soliciting and accepting kickbacks from subcontractors in relation to government contracts awarded to Alonso and Abueg’s companies (some of which were steered to them by Cervantes).

The defendants admitted that they solicited and accepted the kickbacks from various subcontractors in exchange for favorable treatment in connection with future subcontracts. Abueg also admitted filing a false federal income tax return for 2010 that failed to report over $268,000 in illegal kickbacks.

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