Army colonel and wife charged in $20 million bribery scheme

A U.S. Army colonel, his wife, and a former defense contractor were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for using bribery and fraud to rig military contracts.

Anthony Tyrone Roper, 55, is an active duty colonel with the U. S. Army stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Also charged was his wife, Audra Roper, 49, and Dwayne Oswald Fulton, 58, a former employee of a defense contracting firm.

Audra Roper allegedly operated Quadar Group, one of several shell companies used to funnel bribes to her husband.

The DOJ didn’t name the defense contractor Fulton worked for.

All three defendants live in Augusta, Georgia.

The DOJ said,

[B]eginning in 2008 and lasting almost a decade, Colonel Anthony Roper conspired with his wife, Fulton and others to solicit and accept cash bribes in exchange for rigging the award of over $20 million in U. S. Army contracts to selected individuals and companies.

Colonel Roper was charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of bribery, four counts of false statements, and one count of obstruction.

He faces a maximum sentence of 85 years in prison and a $1.75 million fine.

Audra Roper was charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of false statements, and one count of obstruction. She faces up to 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Fulton was charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of obstruction. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

The indictment further alleged that to hide their bribery and fraud, the defendants tried to obstruct an official investigation,

The DOJ said an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. “The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.