ATLANTA (AP) A federal grand jury has indicted four men on charges that they participated in a fraud scheme involving construction contracts for Army medical facilities, including one worth more than $12 million, authorities said Wednesday. <br />
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Aaron Terry, 55, of Wichita Falls, Texas; Timothy Thomas, 51, of Powder Springs, Ga.; James McMann, 43, of Kent, Wash.; and Eric Auyang, 56, of Mobile, Ala., were charged with conspiracy and major fraud against the United States. <br />
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According to U.S. Attorney David Nahmias, the indictment and information presented in court: <br />
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Thomas was a civilian employee of the Army Medical Command from about September 1994 through 2001, based at Fort McPherson in Atlanta. His duties included oversight and review of the procurement process of medical facility construction contracts. <br />
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Thomas also reviewed the work of Auyang, an Army Corps of Engineers civilian employee based in Mobile. <br />
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Terry and McMann were the principals in Global Engineering and Construction, which formed at least two joint venture partnerships with other subcontractors to bid on medical facilities. <br />
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The indictment alleges that beginning about 1995, Terry made cash payments to Thomas and paid travel and hotel expenses of both Thomas and Auyang, and both Thomas and McMann sent them gifts. In return, Auyang provided confidential government procurement information that gave Global a competitive advantage in the bidding process, the indictment said. <br />
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As a result of Thomas' and Auyang's assistance, the government awarded Terry's and McMann's joint ventures at least four multi-year, multi-million dollar construction contracts. <br />
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On the Net: www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan
