Prosecutors said family received millions in bribes for Army supply contracts

Army officer, relatives sentenced in bribery plot

SAN ANTONIO — A former Army contract officer has been sentenced to 17½ years in federal prison for taking more than $9 million in bribes for supply contracts in Kuwait.

Former Maj. John Cockerham was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in San Antonio. He pleaded guilty in February 2008 to conspiracy, bribery and money laundering for awarding contracts for services to troops in Iraq in 2004 and 2005.

His wife, sister and niece also were sentenced. They received shorter prison terms for participating in the scheme.

Prosecutors say Cockerham admitted accepting bribes from contractors and directing the companies to pay relatives in an effort to conceal the scheme.

Cockerham and his relatives also have been ordered to pay $19.1 million in restitution.