Ex-Redstone official charged with bribery

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Ex-Redstone official charged with bribery
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 2, 2007 7:34:14 EDT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A former Redstone Arsenal official was charged Thursday in federal court with bribery, conspiracy and tax evasion for allegedly taking $1.6 million in kickbacks from contractors for U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command projects.

Michael Cantrell, 51, of Huntsville, was the director of the Joint Center for Technology Integration from 2000 to 2005 and its successor, the Integrated Capabilities Management Directorate, until 2007.

“Cantrell corrupted his leadership position by taking $1.6 million in kickbacks to allow certain contractors to perpetrate a massive procurement fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin in a statement.

There is no listing for Cantrell in Huntsville and it was not immediately clear whether he has a lawyer. Martin said Cantrell has been cooperating with authorities, and she expects other people to be charged soon.

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal is responsible for research, development and acquisition of systems that may be used for defense against ballistic missiles. Cantrell and people he supervised were authorized to evaluate proposals for contracts for basic and applied research projects.

Cantrell is charged with receiving about $1.6 million in bribes over a six-year period in exchange for giving preference to certain contractors. The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts of bribery and one count of personal income tax evasion in 2002. The U.S. Attorney is seeking forfeiture of all proceeds Cantrell received, including his residence in Huntsville.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_redstonebribe_071102/