FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

October 5, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

TWO INDICTED IN CORRUPTION SCHEME AT
WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

GREENBELT, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted Kevin R. Roach, age 45, of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Louis Pisani, Jr., age 40, of Silver Spring, Maryland, in connection with a conspiracy to influence contracting at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. The indictment was returned yesterday and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendants.

The two-count indictment alleges that from June 1999 through January 2004, Roach and Pisani conspired to defraud the United States and to commit bribery in connection with Army contracts. Roach was a civilian contract specialist with the U.S. Army Medical Command from 1982 to February 2003, responsible for facilitating the procurement of goods and services for Walter Reed. Pisani was sole shareholder of Platinum Contractors, Inc. located in Silver Spring and Hyattsville, Maryland; and a 50% shareholder and corporate officer in Home Sweet Home Moving and Storage, Inc. located in Hyattsville. Roach is alleged to have conspired with Pisani and others to steer government contracts to Pisani’s companies, including one contract potentially worth up to $1.2 million.

The indictment alleges that Pisani and a co-conspirator provided Roach and his wife with cash, checks and the use of a truck, the expenses for which were paid by Pisani and the co-conspirator. In return, Roach allegedly would provide favorable treatment to companies controlled by Pisani and the co-conspirator. Typically, Pisani would pay Roach, often in cash, 10% of the value of work orders on contracts with the Army Medical Command at Water Reed.

The indictment further alleges that Pisani endeavored to obstruct an Army investigation into their corrupt relationship. To that end, Pisani allegedly lied under oath when questioned by an Army investigator as to whether he had paid Roach for any contracts awarded to his company.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $211,296.

Roach and Pisani face a maximum penalty of five years in prison each on the conspiracy and obstruction charges. The defendants had their initial appearances in the Greenbelt federal courthouse at 3:15 today.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pauze, who is prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—October 5, 2006