Military investigating contractor kickbacks in special forces
Associated Press
Last update: October 16, 2005
TAMPA -- The Special Operations Command is investigating whether soldiers received inferior equipment because of a contractor who took bribes from defense companies.
The command, based at MacDill Air Force Base, said Friday it would review all contracts handled by William Burke, who was in charge of determining what equipment is tested and used by special forces like Green Berets and Navy SEALs.
Burke, 49, pleaded guilty Friday to bribery and agreed to identify associates in the scheme. He could face up to 15 years in prison. He and his attorney declined to comment after the plea hearing.
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Federal prosecutors say Burke gave preferential treatment to defense companies represented by an unindicted co-conspirator in exchange for a $3,000 bribe in January. He also accepted another $9,000 for providing market research, they said.
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