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HILL AIR FORCE BASE — A Farr West man has been sentenced to two years in prison for using his position working with Hill Air Force Base to enrich himself and others.
Jose Mendez, 50, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to 2011 federal indictments for conspiracy to commit bribery and procurement fraud, bribery, and procurement fraud.
Sylvester Zugrav, 71, and Maria Zugrav, 67, owners of Atlas International Trading Company in Sarasota, Fla., were also indicted in the case and were sentenced earlier this month to 15 and 24 months, respectively.
Mendez used his position as a procurement program manager for the Foreign Materials Acquisition Support Office at Hill Air Force Base for personal gain, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.
"(Mendez) conspired to enrich himself and others by exchanging money and other things of value for non-public information and favorable treatment in the procurement process," the release states. "Court records state that Mendez was offered approximately $1,240,500 in payments and other things of value throughout the course of the conspiracy."
Mendez told investigators he took in more than $185,000 in payments and items and had additional bribes lined up if Atlas International Trading won more government contracts, according to the indictment. Mendez disclosed government budget and competitor bid information to give the Zugravs an advantage bidding for contracts.
