British firm agrees to plead guilty in Iraq case

My Fox Spokane Biz
British firm agrees to plead guilty in Iraq case

BOSTON (AP) - A British contractor has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in a deal to supply vehicles to Iraqi police during U.S.-led reconstruction efforts.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday that APTx Vehicle Systems Ltd. agreed to a $1 million criminal fine.

Officials say APTx was to receive $5.7 million as a subcontractor in an August 2004 deal to procure 51 vehicles for the Iraqi Police Authority. They say in 2005 the company tried to draw down the letters of credit it was paid with by claiming the vehicles were ready to ship to Iraq even though they hadn't been built.

Massachusetts businessman and APTx representative Benjamin Kafka pleaded guilty in 2009 to concealing his knowledge of the scheme.

APTx attorneys haven't returned emails sent Monday requesting comment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner
By TAMARA LUSH and BARBARA RODRIGUEZAssociated Press ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - It could be an anxious wait of up to two months for people in a small Florida city to find out who won the highest Powerball jackpot in history: an estimated $590.5 million. The lucky ticket was bought sometime Saturday

O'Malley using agenda, fundraising to explore 2016

O'Malley using agenda, fundraising to explore 2016
By KEN THOMAS and BRIAN WITTEAssociated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - His latest legislative achievements put him in the vanguard of his party's liberal base. He's been a top fundraiser for President Barack Obama. And he's ramping up his travel to help fellow Democrats around the country

Public Memorial For Fairchild Airmen Of KC-135 Tanker Crash In Kyrgyzstan

Public Memorial For Fairchild Airmen Of KC-135 Tanker Crash In Kyrgyzstan
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. - A public memorial for the patriots who lost their lives onboard a KC-135 that crashed May 3 will be held May 28, 2013 at the Inland Northwest Bank Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m. Capt. Mark Tyler Voss, Capt. Victoria Pinckney and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III will be