Morris Cooper, Theft of Military Property, North Carolina 2019

Raleigh, NC - In a shocking case of public corruption, a husband and wife duo has been charged with theft of military property, bribery, and conspiracy. Morris Cooper, 62, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been indicted on three counts of bribery and theft of government property, while his wife, Beverley Cooper, 52, of Fayetteville, has been charged with conspiring to steal government property and aiding and abetting her husband.

According to the indictment, Cooper, a purchasing agent assigned to the Operations and Maintenance Division, Directorate of Public Works (DPW), at Fort Bragg, NC, was entrusted to purchase HVAC parts for DPW's HVAC maintenance section. However, instead of carrying out his duties honestly, Cooper used his position to receive cash and gifts from vendors for both him and his wife in return for steering contracts for supplies to those vendors.

The indictment alleges that Cooper inflated the prices for items under those contracts beyond market price, increasing both the profits to the vendor and the cash payment made to Cooper and/or his wife. The indictment further alleges that the gross proceeds to Cooper were at least $978,279.00.

"Those who hold government positions with access to the public fisc must act with even greater conviction and accountability than if the monies were their own funds," said Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. "For the public fisc is exactly that - the monies of each member of the public."

If convicted, Cooper would face up to a maximum term of 30 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine as to each of the three counts, and a term of up to three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Beverley Cooper would face up to 15 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine as to each of the two counts, and a term of up to three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation of this case is being conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

**MANDATORY FACTS**

**Defendant/Respondent:** Morris Cooper

**Criminal Charges:** Bribery and Theft of Government Property

**City and State:** Raleigh, North Carolina

**Date:** August 20, 2019

**Sentence or Outcome:** Pending

**Dollar Amounts:** $978,279.00

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/husband-and-wife-arrested-theft-military-property