Government Contracts Monitor
For Rent: Two Iraqi Villas – Must Act ASAP – Former Tenant Going to Prison!
February 6, 2013
In United States v. Jill Ann Charpia, No. 12-CR-00704 (S.D. Tex. 2012), a former Air Force officer was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $920,000 in restitution for falsely billing $1.27 million to the Government regarding Iraq reconstruction contracts. Charpia was the co-owner of Sourcing Specialist LLC. The company was awarded a contract to provide secure housing, office facilities, and transportation for multi-national companies participating in Iraq reconstruction. Charpia, who’s only 33 years old, served in the Air Force for eight years as an enlisted person and also a commissioned officer, and obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree. While stationed in Florida at the Special Operations Command, she served as the Officer in Charge of both Construction and Services Flights. After her discharge from the Air Force, she was an independent contractor assigned to the Joint Contracting Command, Iraq-Afghanistan, and was responsible for the oversight of over 1,800 contracts.
In connection with the Iraq reconstruction contract, Charpia provided two false invoices: one reflecting that Sourcing Specialist paid $750,000 to an Iraqi real estate broker for the rental of two villas in Baghdad, and one for $570,075 to an Iraqi construction company for three armored vehicles. Based on those invoices, the Government paid Sourcing Specialist $1.27 million. During an initial interview with investigating agents, Charpia provided false statements regarding the invoices, stating that the companies reflected in the invoices were paid after she received the funds from the Government, but in a second interview she admitted that the invoices were false, the signatures were forgeries, and she only paid for half of the rent for the villas (hence the lower restitution amount). An investigation revealed that Charpia commingled company money with personal money and used the personal money to pay for multiple residences, credit card purchases, travel, and other personal expenses.
In the Government’s Sentencing Memorandum , the Government sought a sentence of 37-46 months. The Government stated that Charpia “has an extensive background in Government contracting and used that knowledge and experience for corrupt purposes.” The Government further stated that “[i]t is deeply troubling that the Defendant learned the complex world of government contracts while serving in the United States Air Force, and then used that knowledge and skill to obtain a multi-million dollar contract in which she fabricated documents, obtained forged signatures, and diverted funds for her personal enrichment.” That statement is certainly an apt summary of this disheartening case.
Brian Stolarz is the attorney responsible for the content of this article