Former Air Force Official Pleads Guilty To Receiving Gratuities

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Dennis Charles Toenjes, Sr., 66, has been charged and pled guilty to receiving gratuities in connection with his former role as a contracting official with the United States Air Force. Earlier today, Toenjes pled guilty to the charge in the United States District Court.

Evidence revealed in Court showed that on or about February 3, 2009, Toenjes received and accepted gratuities from Stephen Keith Sweet, an owner of an asbestos abatement company which performed work on Scott Air Force Base. Sweet would not have given such gratuities to Toenjes but for his position as a contracting official with the United States Air Force. Gratuities included Sweet paying for Toenjes’ car repairs and for his home heating and cooling repairs. All payments made by Sweet to Toenjes totaled $9,382.01.

The charge carries maximum penalties of 2 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 1 year of supervised release. Sentencing has been set for January 24, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division and the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Liam Coonan.