UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: PEGGY SANFORD
	AUGUST 26, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2020
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

PROJECT MANAGER FOR BRIDGE STREET/WESTIN HOTEL CONDOMINIUMS PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL/WIRE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley announced today that SCOTT M. HIPPARD has pleaded guilty to mail/wire fraud and money laundering.

            HIPPARD, 51, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., was charged in a 14-count indictment filed in May 2009 at U.S. District Court in Birmingham.

            Hippard was responsible for managing and ultimately deciding which general contractor would be awarded the contract for construction of the condominiums at the Westin Hotel located at the Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.

            According to the plea agreement, Hippard devised a scheme to have a certain individual awarded the contract to build the condominiums at an inflated cost, with the intent that Hippard and the contractor would split the inflated amount. The contractor cooperated with the government and met Hippard on numerous occasions and these conversations were recorded and some were videotaped. HIPPARD was paid $5,000 on each occasion for a total of $45,000. Hippard also received approximately $465,800 in other kickbacks related to the scheme to defraud.   

            The maximum sentence for mail or wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
                       
            This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney David H. Estes prosecuted the case.

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