UPI May 29, 2011
Family accused of taking NSA for $1.45M
BALTIMORE, May 29 (UPI) -- A Maryland family is charged with swindling a surprising target -- the super-secret National Security Agency.
William Turley, 70; his son Donald Turley, 53, and daughter Christina Turley Knott, 50, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Baltimore May 10 on charges of overbilling the NSA, which is based at Fort Meade, Md., by $1.45 million.
Their company, Bechdon, produces metal and plastic parts for aerospace and military contractors and has sold gear to the spy agency since 1997. Prosecutors say employees were told to systematically inflate their work hours, The Baltimore Sun reported.
Court papers say Knott embezzled $4.5 million from her father and brother but they never turned her in for fear of exposure.
The men face up to 80 years in prison and $1 million fines if convicted of conspiracy and wire fraud, and Knott up to 20 years and a $500,000 fine for conspiracy and tax evasion. They have pleaded not guilty.
The Turleys are not alone. Over five years, records show, 11 defendants have been accused of cheating the NSA, and most have admitted it.
Since 2001, the agency budget's has soared and "their problem is how to get rid of all this money," said John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org.
© Copyright 2011, United Press International, Inc.
