Navy Contractor Lays Off Whole Staff After Charges

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (AP) - A Georgia-based Navy contractor has laid off its entire staff after federal prosecutors in Rhode Island accused its founder of participating in a $10 million kickback and bribery scheme.

Wayne King, acting CEO of Roswell, Ga.-based Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow, tells WPRI-TV in Providence that the layoffs went into effect Monday. King told workers in an e-mail the company's assets had been frozen and it could no longer operate.

The firm has offices in Middletown, R.I.

A spokesman for Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) says state officials are working to connect those who lost their jobs with other defense contractors in the area. The state also sent a team to meet with those who were laid off to discuss state assistance.

It's unclear how many employees lost their jobs.