Faces 45 Years In Prison For 2003 Payments

Sentencing is scheduled for May 12 in the case of a former FAA contractor charged with bribing an FAA employee.

The South Jersey News reports Martha Lianidis, president of Digital Management Systems, pleaded guilty Wednesday to paying more than $23,000 in bribes to Darrell Woods in early 2003, while Woods was a program manager at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County. In that role, Woods oversaw DMS' performance on government contracts, several of which Woods aided the company in winning, according to federal prosecutors.

Lianidis paid the money to Woods over three installments. She admitted to prosecutors she paid the money, with the intent of influencing Woods in his performance of his duties at the FAA.

Indictments against Lianidis were put forth in August 2007. Woods, who has since left the agency, pleaded guilty in June 2007 to charges of money laundering related to the bribery, and wire fraud. He still awaits sentencing.

Lianidis faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, for each of the three instances of bribery. She may also have to forfeit her assets to the government.

In determining Lianidis' sentence, US District Judge Garrett E. Brown, Jr. is required to consult US Sentencing Guidelines -- which take into account the severity of the action, and the defendant's past criminal history, along with other factors. Judge Brown is not required to follow those guidelines, however.

FMI: www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/tc/