Riverview defense contractor pleads guilty to bribery

TAMPA — Ankana Pecault Stovall has pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to pay gratuities and supplement U.S. military members' salaries in order to get a leg up on contracts she sought in Iraq.

The Riverview defense contractor faces a maximum of five years in federal prison and the U.S. Attorney's office, prosecuting the case, also seeks a $19,500 judgment. A sentencing date has yet to be set.

The plea follows similar guilt admissions from her co-conspirators, U.S. Army Master Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Lerone Benton of Virginia, and First Sgt. Richard Allen Smith of Delaware, who say they received bribes from Stovall during their time in Iraq in exchange for preferential contract treatment.