Guardsman implicated in bribery scam

Charges filed Thursday implicate another Illinois National Guard member in a bribery scam relating to military contracts in Afghanistan. Charles Patton, identified only as a member of the Illinois National Guard in Chicago from March 2004 to September 2008, is charged with receipt of stolen property. The charges were detailed in a filing by the U.S. Department of Justice. The filing states Patton received at least $100,000 from Maj. Christopher West, who was a member of Illinois National Guard and in charge of base operations at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from March 2004 to March 2005. According to the charges, West sent Patton the money in hidden in a series of boxes sent through the mail. Patton then hid the money at his residence, authorities allege. West returned from Afghanistan for a short time in November 2004 and retrieved some of the money, then returned to Afghanistan in December 2004 and continued sending Patton boxes containing stolen money, according to the charges. West was arrested and charged with bribery and conspiracy back in August 2008. West faces up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines in the case.