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Former Government Contractor Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Kickbacks Conspiracy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In a shocking case of government corruption, a former government contractor was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a government contract kickback scheme that caused a loss of more than $3.4 million to the U.S. Department of State.
Defendant and Charges
The defendant, Wesley Aaron Struble, 49, a U.S. citizen of Batangas, Philippines, was sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Act in 2011 and 2012 while employed in Iraq as a government contractor.
Struble was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and making false statements, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
Crime Details
Pursuant to the conspiracy, Struble and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to lease real property for use related to a U.S. Department of State contract at an inflated rate of $665,000 per month. Struble and his co-conspirators received at least $390,000 in cash kickback payments from associates of the company providing the lease, and Struble concealed the cash in packages sent back to family members in the United States.
The U.S. Department of State, which ultimately paid the lease of real property, suffered a loss of approximately $3.4 million. In addition to Struble’s prison sentence, he was also ordered to pay approximately $3.4 million in restitution.
Co-Conspirators
Two of Struble’s co-conspirators—Jose Rivera and Emil Popescu—were charged by indictment on March 30, for their roles in the conspiracy. According to court documents, Jose Rivera pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a jury trial on August 7. The United States is seeking Emil Popescu’s extradition from Romania.
Sentencing and Restitution
Struble was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on [sentencing date]. In addition to his four-year prison sentence, Struble was ordered to pay approximately $3.4 million in restitution.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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