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Army National Guard Soldier Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Wire Fraud
A shocking case of corruption has rocked the Texas National Guard, as Sergeant First Class Eduardo Ruesga-Larracilla, 41, of San Antonio, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, and one count of bribery of a public official, in connection with a wide-ranging corruption scheme involving fraudulent recruiting bonuses.
According to court documents, Ruesga-Larracilla conspired with a recruiter to pay him for the personal information of potential Army National Guard soldiers, using the information to claim fraudulent bonuses worth up to $2,000 for referring new recruits. This scheme occurred between January 2010 and October 2011, during which time Ruesga-Larracilla used the fraudulent bonuses for personal gain.
The case against Ruesga-Larracilla arises from an investigation that has led to charges against 26 individuals, 24 of whom have pleaded guilty. The investigation was conducted by the San Antonio Fraud Resident Agency of the Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit.
Ruesga-Larracilla is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia in San Antonio, Texas. The case against Ruesga-Larracilla is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Sean F. Mulryne, Heidi Boutros Gesch, and Mark J. Cipolletti of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell and U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman announced the guilty plea, stating that the case highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions. The case also serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in preventing and detecting corruption within the military.
The Army National Guard’s Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) was designed to offer monetary incentives to soldiers who referred new recruits, with payments ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the referred soldier’s milestones. However, Ruesga-Larracilla’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the program’s intended purpose, using it for personal gain and undermining the integrity of the military recruitment process.
The guilty plea by Ruesga-Larracilla marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of corruption within the military. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether other individuals will be held accountable for their role in the scheme.
RELATED: Bribery and Fraud: Former Soldier Pleads Guilty
RELATED: Fraudulent Recruiting Referral Bonus Scheme Lands Soldier in Hot Water
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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