Savannah Couple Plead Guilty ToStealing Over $150,000 From The Army

SAVANNAH, GA: BO DUKES, 29, and EMILY DUKES, 29, husband and wife from Savannah, Georgia, pled guilty on Monday before United States District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. to conspiring to steal over $150,000 worth of property paid for by the Army.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing showed that BO DUKES, a Unit Supply Specialist in the United States Army, ordered televisions, cameras, power tools, cooper wires and other property totaling over $150,000, which he was able to fraudulently bill to the Army through the General Services Administration (GSA).  BO DUKES caused the fraudulently obtained items to be shipped to his personal residence.  He and his wife EMILY DUKES then pawned the items for their own personal benefit.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “These Defendants used Bo Dukes position of trust and his authorization to enter into transactions on behalf of the United States Government to steal from the American taxpayers.  Their plan was both unsophisticated and hazardous.  Neither the law nor this United States Attorney’s Office can allow this type of fraud to go unpunished.”

Frank Robey, Director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command's Major Procurement Fraud Unit said, "We are very pleased with the guilty pleas.  Stealing money during a time of war is reprehensible and we, along with our federal counterparts, will continue to do everything in our investigative power to bring those responsible to justice."

General Services Administration Inspector General Brian D. Miller said, "By working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to stop these individuals from their continuous abuse of American taxpayer money and stealing of government goods.  We will remain vigilant against people who use GSA for personal gain."

BO and EMILY DUKES both face a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing date will be set after the United States Probation Office conduct a presentence investigation.

The DUKES’ conviction arose out of a joint investigation by the General Services Administration and the Department of the Army, Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Tania D. Groover is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547