Retired Colonel Accused Of Conspiring To Defraud Air Force
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- He was a colonel with sway over the entire 171st Air Wing.
Federal prosecutors say Col. Gerard Mangis used it to enrich himself, allegedly conspiring with a co-defendant to defraud the Air Force of more than $200,000.
"With all that is going on in the world, with sequestration, which we've just been through, it is particularly repugnant that someone would steal from the United State Air Force in a manner such as this," said U.S. Attorney David Hickton.
The indictment says 59-year-old Mangis, of Shaler, conspired with Robert St. Clair, of Bel Air, Md., to reap tens of thousands of dollars in Air Force pay for days not worked and duties not performed.
According to the indictment, Mangis gave St. Clair a "no show job" at the 171st in Moon Township, even though St. Clair worked as a contract employee at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
In return, St. Clair gave Mangis credit for hundreds of special training days' worth tens of thousands of dollars in military pay," the indictment reports.
"These cases involve two public officials who engaged in a corrupt, mutually beneficial scheme for personal gain," Hickton said.
The charges go further, saying Mangis involved others in covering up the scheme and telling subordinates to perform personal tasks, including making repairs at this home.
The investigation doesn't end here, and other indictments may follow.
"The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate government fraud in order to root out those who would abuse their power and defraud the United States," said Gary Douglas Perdue, of the FBI in Pittsburgh. "Please note that they're work is not done. This investigation has widened and is continuing."
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