A Las Vegas-based former Department of Defense contractor was extradited from Iraq to the United States to face fraud and conspiracy charges for trying to bribe U.S. officials to win government contracts for his companies.
Metin Atilan, 54, is the first person extradited from Iraq to the United States under the U.S.-Iraq extradition treaty signed in 1934, the DOJ said Monday.
“This historic extradition from Iraq to the United States is an example of our cooperation with law enforcement worldwide to bring fugitives to justice,” Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.
Atilan, a dual U.S. and Turkish citizen, appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael R. Merz of the Southern District of Ohio.
He was indicted in 2008 for conspiracy to engage in contract fraud, conspiracy to engage in wire fraud, and wire fraud.
The DOJ said Atilan is president and chief executive officer of PMA Services Ltd. of Las Vegas and Kayteks Ltd. of Adna, Turkey.
“In 2006 through 2008, Atilan offered bribes and kickbacks in order to secure contracts for businesses he owned in connection with services and construction associated with U.S. military operations in Iraq,” the DOJ said.
Some of the Defense Department contracting officials who Atilan is accused of trying to bribe were stationed in Dayton, Ohio at the time.
Atilan was first arrested in Las Vegas in May 2008. He was placed on electronic monitoring while waiting for his formal hearing before a federal judge in Dayton.
But in June 2008, he allegedly violated the terms of his pretrial release by cutting off his electronic bracelet and fleeing the United States.
Iraq sent him back to the U.S. on July 27, 2014.
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. He can be contacted here.
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