WRIC Richmond News and Weather - Ex-Army official admits taking bribes
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Associated Press - August 7, 2009 5:45 PM ET
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A former Army contracting official stationed in Afghanistan has pleaded guilty to taking more than $85,000 in bribes to steer business to two Afghan-based trucking companies.
Thirty-5-year-old James Paul Clifton of Newport News entered his guilty plea Friday in federal court in Alexandria.
According to court documents, Clifton admitted that two companies - Afghan International Trucking and Afghan Trade Transportation - paid him up to $20,000 and $15,000 a month, respectively, in exchange for scheduling the companies for additional trucking services. The payments occurred between May and October of last year.
He faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in October.
Clifton's lawyer declined comment after Friday's hearing.
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