{Elkins, West Virginia}...A federal jury in Elkins is considering whether former Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Allen Evick, 41, of Parsons, and his alleged associate, Crystal Yvette Martin, 48, of Pontiac, Michigan, are guilty of what federal prosecutors describe as a bribery and money-laundering scheme. The trial started June 18th in U.S. District Court in Elkins. Federal prosecutors allege Evick received more than $170,000 in bribes from two firms that had contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense in Kuwait. Martin is accused of laundering the bribe money and arranging transfers to the United States. Martin is a former Army master sergeant who operated a concession to sell clothing at American military bases in Kuwait. The indictment also alleges Evick and former majors James Momon and Christopher Murray improperly disclosed contracting information to two firms that were seeking contracts from the U.S. military. The case went to the jury on June 22nd.
