Bel Air Man Indicted in APG Bribery Scheme

Bel Air, MD — A Bel Air man was indicted Wednesday on federal bribery and conspiracy charges after he allegedly accepted money from a subcontractor while working as a high-ranking official at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

John Kays, 42, has since resigned from his job as deputy project manager for mission command at APG—the second-highest rank in the unit—a post he held from January 2011 to July 2014, the district attorney said.

According to the indictment, Kays allegedly accepted $157,000 from an Ohio man who paid him in cash in installments less than $10,000 so that the money would not need to be reported through the bank.

Matthew Barrow, 42, of Toledo, Ohio, allegedly paid the Bel Air man in exchange for Kays adding his company to APG's list of subcontractors.

The subcontractors were those that prime contractors would use while completing their work for APG on a technology project.

In 2006, the U.S. Army approved a $19.2 billion contract for seven prime contractors to provide technology services related to engineering, business operations and logistics on the proving ground. Kays had a number of leadership positions related to this contract and in April 2011, a task order for services pursuant to the contract was placed, the district attorney reported. On the list of subcontractors was MJ-6, the company Barrow and his wife formed in 2008.

Kays was required to file government ethics forms as part of his job. He did not report any of the money he received from Barrow from 2011 to 2014, officials said.

He allegedly used the cash to purchase two new vehicles and pay credit card bills. Now, his assets in Harford County have been frozen, including a 2012 BMW, 2012 Yamaha power boat, Nissan Armada, real estate and a pair of diamond earrings, according to the district attorney.

Barrow's assets in Toledo, Ohio, have also been frozen, including two GMC Yukons, a power boat, Wave Runner, 2015 Buick Enclave and two pieces of real estate.

Both were indicted on charges of defrauding the U.S. Army and committing conspiracy and bribery.

Kays and Barrow had initial appearances in Baltimore's U.S. District Court last week and were released under pretrial supervision.

They face a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy and 15 years for bribery.

They may also have to pay up to $250,000 for each offense.

See Also:

• APG Police Officer Pleads Guilty to $35K Theft
• Former APG Aide Sentenced in Wire Fraud
• Bel Air Man Indicted in Air Force Scam

Patch File Photo.