CHARLOTTE (AP) A former employee of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bid-rigging scheme.
Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that Sam Hanna has agreed to plead guilty to one count of federal program theft conspiracy.
An indictment states that the 62-year-old facilities engineer specialist had authority to grant contracts for work costing less than $30,000 without seeking competitive bids. Prosecutors say Hanna directed more than $825,000 to two companies that performed little or no work. Those firms, one owned by Hanna’s son-in-law, kicked back more than $410,000 in bribes to an account controlled by the university employee.
Prosecutors say Hanna spent the money for personal expenses. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced.