CONTRACTING OFFICER’S NEICE PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTING MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEME INVESTIGATION RELATED TO BRIBE PAYMENTS

On July 28, 2009, Nyree Patterson, the niece of former U.S. Army Major John Cockerham, pled guilty for her role in conspiracy to cover up her uncle’s involvement in accepting $9 million in bribes as a contracting officer at a Kuwaiti air base.
Ms. Pettaway admitted to going to Kuwait in late 2006 and receiving $3 million in cash to return to co-conspirators for safekeeping. On March 19, 2009, Carolyn Blake, sister of U.S. Army officer John Cockerham, pled guilty for her participation in a money-laundering scheme and accepting $3 million in bribes on behalf of her brother. On June 24, 2008, John Cockerham, a U.S. Army office, and his wife, Melissa Cockerham, of San Antonio pled guilty to charges of conspiracies to commit bribery and money laundering. Mr. Cockerham admitted to his role in a complex bribery and money laundering scheme as an Army major in Kuwait. He awarded illegal contracts for services to be delivered to troops in Iraq in exchange for $9 million in bribes. Mr. Cockerham directed contractors to pay his wife, sister, and others to hide the fact that he was receiving bribes. Mrs. Cockerham admitted to accepting $1 million in bribes and storing them in various banks in Kuwait and Dubai on behalf of her husband.

Andre Barlow
(202) 589-1834
abarlow@dbmlawgroup.com