Retired Army colonel pleads guilty to bribery in defense contracts in Iraq

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A retired U.S. Army colonel pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges in Washington Tuesday for fraudulently awarding contracts in Iraq to a Kuwaiti-based firm in exchange for gifts.

Levonda Selph of Virginia admitted accepting $4,000 in cash and a $5,000 vacation to Thailand from the unidentified contractor for steering $12 million in contracts to operate Defense Department warehouses in Iraq.

Under the plea agreement, Selph could receive up to 33 months in jail. She promised to repay the government $9,000 and to cooperate in an ongoing investigation.
–From Terry Frieden, CNN Justice Department Producer