Authorities said he accepted a bribe from a Honolulu company in exchange for $7.8 million in government contracts.
(AP) — A Micronesia government official has pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge in Hawaii.
Master Halbert, 44, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Tuesday to conspiring to launder bribe money he accepted from the president of a Hawaii civil engineering company.
Authorities say Halbert accepted a bribe from Frank James Lyon of Lyon Associates Inc. in Honolulu in exchange for $7.8 million in government contracts.
The Federal Courthouse building in Honolulu.
Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat
Lyon, admitted to the bribes last month in a plea agreement and faces a maximum five-year prison sentence. Those payments included some $250,000 in bribes to unidentified state government officials to secure a $2.5 million contract in Hawaii, according to the deal.
Reports say Halbert was a civil aviation assistant secretary in the Federated States of Micronesia and is the son-in-law of Micronesia President Peter Christian.
Authorities say Halbert faces a maximum 20-year prison term at his sentencing in July and is prohibited from leaving Oahu while free on bond.
Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed.
Tom Yamachika: About That Special Land And Development Fund