Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Prosecutors say a Navy intelligence officer illegally diverted nearly $2 million in government funds to his boss's brother under a secret, illegitimate contract to build hundreds of untraceable rifle silencers.
In opening trial statements in Alexandria on Monday, prosecutors said Navy civilian Lee Hall of Sterling had no authority to buy weapons. They said the real reason for the contract was to bail out his boss's brother, Mark Landersman, who they say had a failing race-car business.
Landersman, of Temecula, California, faces trial next week. Both he and Hall are charged with conspiracy and theft of government funds.
Hall's lawyer says the contract was legitimate and needed to support a classified program that remains shrouded in secrecy.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
