On November 13, 2012, the Department of Justice announced that James Momon Jr (a former US Army Major) of Alexandria, Virginia, received 18 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme when he was stationed as a contracting official in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The bribery reportedly occurred from 2005 to 2006. Momon was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in the District of Columbia.
In addition to the prison time, Momon is also required to serve three years of supervised release and pay $5.8 million in restitution jointly and severally with the other co-defendants.
19 individuals have pleaded guilty to cooperation in the bribery scheme so far. Momon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bribery.
Court documents show Momon admitted to accepting multiple bribes from Department of Defense (DOD) contractors that provided bottled water and other items to troops in Kuwait. The bribes motivated Momom to help award the contracts.
Momon was also bribed to help in the award of blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) as well. These contracts let the DOD order supplies as they are needed at a price that is previously negotiated. In total, Momon accepted $5.8 million from the co-conspirators, and $1.6 million was in cash and luxury items.
Court documents also indicate that Momon started his contracting duties in place of U.S. Army Major C. Cockerham. Cockerman admitted to accepting bribes himself during his time in Kuwait from 2004 to 2005, and he pleaded guilty in February of 2008. He was sentenced to 210 months in prison, and the judge ordered him to pay $9 million in restitution.
The case is still being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigation Service, the Army Criminal Investigation Command Division, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, and the Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
