Army colonel indicted in alleged $20M contracting fraud scheme

The U.S. Attorney's office in Savannah has indicted a Fort Gordon-based Army colonel on nine charges in an alleged $20 million fraud and bribery scheme, including conspiracy, bribery, false statements and obstruction.

According to the indictment filed on June 7, defendant Col. Anthony Tyrone Roper's "official duties and responsibilities included, among many others, the oversight of the U.S. Army's efforts to build and modernize its information and communication networks."

Roper's wife, Audra, is also under indictment on three charges, including conspiracy and obstruction. A third defendant, Dwayne Oswald Fulton, faces conspiracy and obstruction charges. The three defendants are all residents of Augusta, Ga.

Roper faces up to 85 years in prison and $1.75 million in fines. His wife could receive up to 25 years in prison, while Fulton faces 20 years.

U.S. Attorney's office in Savannah would not elaborate on that nature allegedly fraudulent contracts in the case.

Court documents state that along with a co-conspirator referred to only as "CDL," the defendants set up Communications, Research, Engineering, and Consultants Group, LLC, ("CREC Group") and shell companies -- Quadar Group and OzTEK -- to obtain Army contracts and funnel bribes.

CDL, the co-conspirator who is not charged under this indictment, served more than 20 years in the Army and retired as a full colonel. According to the indictment, he established CREC before leaving the Army with the intention of obtaining Army contracts.

Fulton served as an officer in a "large defense contracting company." A LinkedIn profile for Fulton identifies him as Director of Advanced Telecom Group at KRATOS Defense & Security Solutions.

Court documents state Fulton and CDL "provided false and fraudulent information to the U.S. Army, other government agencies, and private companies, all in an effort to fraudulently obtain over $20 million worth of contracts and work for CDL, CREC Group, Fulton's own employer and others."

According to the filing, "Anthony Tyrone Roper, aided and abetted by his coconspirators, would commit official acts and would do and omit to do acts in violation of his official duties, to include the selecting of U.S. Army contractors and the providing of internal, confidential, and proprietary information, all in an effort to steer and award millions in U.S. Army contracts to CDL, CREC Group and others in return for the payment of bribes."

The Army's Criminal Investigations Division and the DOD's Criminal Investigative Service are continuing to investigate the case in coordination with the U.S. Small Business Association's Office of the Inspector General.