State Department employee accused of taking bribes (Iraq reconstruction work)

State Department employee accused of taking bribes
By Richard Lardner, Associated Press October 21, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal authorities have arrested a State Department employee suspected of taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks on contracts for Iraq reconstruction work.

Court records allege that 52-year-old Richard Lopez Razo began the illicit venture in 2005 when he was working for a company based in California with numerous contracts in Iraq.

In August 2008, Razo began working for the State Department as a provincial program manager overseeing rebuilding projects in southern Iraq. According to the court filings unsealed Monday, he "continued his scheme to obtain bribes in return for the award of U.S. government contracts to Iraqi contractors."

Razo was arrested Friday and released on personal recognizance.

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