Eglin Air Force Base contractors plead guilty to conspiracy, bribery

From staff reports | Pensacola News Journal

Two Eglin Air Force Base contractors have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges relating to the approval and recommendation of contracts.

Jerry Vertefeuille, 53, of Niceville, and Christopher A. Carter, 37, of Fort Walton Beach, both pleaded guilty to charges relating to seven years worth of conspiracy.

Vertefeuille was a government contracting representative for the 96 Test Wing Maintenance Group at Eglin, where he oversaw maintenance work and approved purchases and invoices, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Vertefeuille helped Carter, the owner of TCC Services Unlimited LLC, win a paint booth maintenance contract in 2007 and renew those contracts until 2014.

Vertefeuille received kickbacks in exchange for approving Carter's fraudulent invoices and recommending his contract keep getting renewed.

Through their investigation, authorities found TCC and another contractor submitted invoices for payment to the U.S. Air Force for the same work.

Both men face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the charge of conspiracy to commit theft of honest services and wire fraud and 15 years in prison for bribery of a public official.

Vertefeuille faces a further sentence of five years in prison for obtaining and disclosing procurement information.

Both men are scheduled for sentencing Sept. 26.