The U.S. Justice Department said two businessmen have been indicted in Kansas City, Kansas for an alleged scheme to fraudulently steer and award subcontracts by a major engineering firm for work on nuclear weapons manufacturing projects for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City campus.
Court documents say 67-year-old Michael Clinesmith of Kansas is accused of soliciting and receiving kickbacks and bribes from 63-year-old Richard Mueller of Missouri, in exchange for steering subcontracts from Clinesmith’s employer to Mueller’s company. Clinesmith was responsible for designing and procuring gages that were specially made to measure the components of nuclear weapon products. Mueller is alleged to have paid $1 million to Clinesmith in the scheme.
Clinesmith and Mueller are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. They are also charged with four counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Mueller is also charged with one count of making false statements to federal agents. If convicted, they will each face up to 20 years in prison.
