Prometheus 6

Prosecutors have said that Bloom stood at the center of a conspiracy in which he paid more than $2 million in bribes to officials who managed Iraq reconstruction in exchange for contracts for his companies. Hopfengardner, 46, of Fredericksburg, was responsible for managing various reconstruction projects in south-central Iraq starting in November 2003.

In return for contracts related to the building of a police academy and training center, Bloom sent Hopfengardner about $175,000 in laundered money and bought him a GMC Yukon Denali sport-utility vehicle, prosecutors say. Hopfengardner also received the motorcycle, a $5,700 watch and a computer as part of the deal.

Reservist Pleads Guilty in Iraq Bribery Scheme
By Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 26, 2006; D01

A lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve yesterday became the first military officer to plead guilty in a wide-ranging bribery scheme involving funds intended for Iraq's reconstruction, the Justice Department said.