Defense Agency Auditor Charged With Conflict of Interest

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

A former Alaska Aerospace Corporation employee has been indicted by the federal grand jury in Anchorage. Today (Yesterday) U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler announced Jodi Ann Andres, 48, of Anchorage, was indicted for violating federal conflict of interest laws.
The indictment says Andres worked for the Department of Defense’s Defense Contract Audit Agency, or DCAA, as an auditor from January 2003 until September 2006. She worked on cost proposals, labor rates and claims for the Missile Defense Agency, which is responsible for developing and testing the U.S.’ Ballistic Missile Defense System. According to the indictment, Andres left the DCAA in 2006 and began working for Alaska Aerospace as a controller. In July 2008, Andres allegedly represented the corporation during negotiations with the DCAA about a missile defense contract she had previously audited while employed by the agency. Court documents suggest Andres intended to influence the DCAA about the missile defense contract.
Conflict of interest statues impose permanent communication restrictions on behalf of an organization or company on items that an individual participated in as a government employee. The maximum penalty for a violating this restriction is up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Retta-Rae Randall is the Assistant U.S. Attorney and said Andres is currently out on bail with an arraignment date set for March 22. She said the investigation behind Andres’ indictment was a few years in the making. Indictments act only as charges and do not mean the individual is guilty.
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