Retired Army Major Hit with Bribery Charges in Kuwait Contracts Scandal

A retired major in the U.S. Army has pleaded guilty to charges of bribery and making a false statement, involving his time as a contracting specialist and officer at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, from 2005 through 2007.

Christopher H. Murray, 41, a resident of Cataula, Ga., admitted receiving approximately $225,000 in bribes while serving as a contracting specialist for military contracts. Upon returning to Kuwait as a contracting officer, he accepted an additional $20,000 in bribes for awarding a construction contract.

Murray now faces up to 15 years in prison on each bribery count and up to five years for the false statement charge. Federal prosecutors are calling his actions a betrayal of trust and a violation of public service.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich emphasized that procurement officers who sacrifice their positions of trust for personal gain will be prosecuted. Deborah A. Garza echoed this sentiment, noting the Antitrust Division’s commitment to preventing such offenses from affecting the U.S. military and taxpayers.

Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, praised the investigation as part of ongoing efforts to combat fraud in Iraq. Brig. Gen. Rodney Johnson emphasized that those who do business with the U.S. military will be held accountable by highly-trained professionals.

The American public expects military officers to act with integrity, and Murray’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences for those who abuse their positions.

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