One of the top civilian managers at a South Coast military base admitted running a kickback scheme with contractors. Federal prosecutors say Fernando Barroso was a Master Scheduler at Naval Base Ventura County, in the position to approve contracts with vendors. Investigators say the Oxnard man worked out a deal with a vendor to approve phony invoices for work never done in exchange for 50% of the take.
The loss over a decade long period topped $1.2 million dollars. Prosecutors say Barroso later bought an interest in a maintenance company used to launder kickbacks.
Barroso entered guilty pleas to conspiracy, and income tax fraud charges. He could face up to eight years in prison when he’s sentenced June 10th.
