Married Couple Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

ParkmanLawFirm
November 14, 2013

Keith Johnson, 46, and his wife, Angela Johnson, 44, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in United States District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia. Another eight counts of wire fraud listed in the original indictment were dismissed by U.S. District Judge Leoni Brinkema as part of the plea agreement. According to court documents, the Maryville couple concocted a scheme to defraud a Department of Defense contractor relating to two contacts worth more than $268 million. The contracts were to provide vehicle fleet maintenance for the Afghan National Army (ANA).

While Keith Johnson worked for “Company 1” as a project manager, he fielded requests for vehicle parts coming from “Company 2”. “Company 1” would then issue purchase orders for those parts after receiving multiple bids. In September 2007, Keith and Angela Johnson formed “Company 4” and listed Angela Johnson’s mother and daughter on the corporate documents. This allowed Keith Johnson to use his position with “Company 1” to steer parts supply purchase orders and other business on the ANA contracts to “Company 4”. To conceal Keith Johnson’s relationship with “Company 4”, Angela Johnson used her maiden name when interacting with “Company 1”.

Keith Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and Angela Johnson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Their sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 14, 2014.

This case was investigated by DCIS, FBI, SIGAR, and Army MPFU. Daniel Butler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant United States Attorneys Jack Hanly and Ryan Faulconer are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

If you find yourself facing fraud charges, it is important to find an experienced federal mail fraud attorney to represent you. The criminal attorneys of Parkman & White, LLC have a history of success in the court room and are ready to represent clients nationwide.