WASHINGTON (CNN) - Federal agents arrested a District of Columbia government official and a Washington-area businessman on conspiracy charges Thursday and searched the offices of the district's chief technology officer as part of a corruption probe.
Yusuf Acar, a contracting officer for Washington's city government, and Sushil Bansal, a former city employee, are accused of swindling the city out of several million dollars by inflating purchase orders and billing the city for work by non-existent employees of Bansal's companies. They made initial appearances in federal court on Thursday.
Both are charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and money laundering, while Acar faces separate charges of wire fraud and conflict of interest, according to court papers.
As part of the probe, agents raided the office of Washington's chief technology officer, the agency responsible for overseeing the city's telecommunications infrastructure. The raid came a week after the Obama administration named the office's former director, Vivek Kundra, as the White House chief information officer, but a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN that Kundra is not involved in the case.
The White House called the probe "a serious matter," but referred further questions to the Justice Department.
Updated: 6:22 p.m.
– CNN's Carol Cratty and Terry Frieden contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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Cue the screams of the neocons in 3...2...1
Now that one sentence in-depth story is very indicative of the journalistic capabilities presented daily by CNN – yep. In-Depth. (God help this country – e-gossip leads the way).
What is this about
Is this really a story? It sounds like you're trying to make this sound like some sort of scandal or controversy with absolutely no substance to the headline. What were they searching for? Did they take anything with them? Has he been contacted for comment? Come on CNN, you're better than this.
This is just another sensationalized news article to try and point a finger at another of President Obamas picks for office – and it has nothing at all to do with Obamas choice.
Sheesh!
Slow news day. They have to throw something out.
CNN........ WHY........ were they searching these offices?
*********THIS HEADLINE IS LIKE GOSSIP********************************
We need more detail, CNN. Get your story before you print it.
But why? Is this a background check or a criminal investigation. This is not a story, it is a twitter tweet.
and........???? are you trying to make people jump to the gun and create a story on their own.
Breaking: Birds flying around in the sky
CNN your tickers are old please get something a little more current
like today
CNN is going NUTS!
Obama = SHADY
Please CNN be truthful, the Post says it is the CFO's former deputy which has been a long standing invitation...c'mon
Can anyone translate this into English?
Can anyone translate this into English?
CNN Is this Steve Hayes' breaking news. Oh how I love Steve
It is for a bribery investigation so yes morons....this is a story.
as usuall cnn prints stuff with no back up info...what's happening to journalism in america these days??? we knoiw your trying your best to bring down the obama administration.
Just another normal day in the Obama Administration. At this same time period in Bush's first Administration he had over 400 members of his cabinet already in place. Obama has just over 50! Never before has a President of the US had so many cabinet nominees either quit or be rejected!! HILARIOUS!!!! There are no clean Liberals left!
Worthless maybe. You point being CNN.
P.S
Campbell Brown used to be relavent. She too is........... worhtless.
Just another normal day in the Obama Administration. At this same time period in Bush's first Administration he had over 400 members of his cabinet already in place. Obama has just over 50! Never before has a President of the US had so many cabinet nominees either quit or be rejected!! HILARIOUS!!!! There are no clean Liberals left!
2 Things: Viewers of your station will never hear/read a story you are broadcasting about a Dem/Lib, only half baked stories of Conservatives. I dare your network to actually tow the line for the American Public, I don't think you can. In Fact, I Double Dog Dare you ...... Does that make it more challenging? Maybe that will light a fire under the school children you have employed there.
breaking... my car wont start when it's cold.lol cnn come on..