The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reported that Gloria Harper, 59, pleaded guilty to allegedly defrauding the E-rate program.
Harper, a former owner of Illinois-based technology companies Global Networking Technologies Inc. and Computer Training Associates, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea in federal court to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Harper pleaded guilty on June 2, 2011 to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the federal E-Rate program. Harper allegedly provided kick backs and bribes to schools in Louisiana, Illinois and Arkansas.
The FCC along with the DOJ and FBI have a joint task force to work on E-rate related fraud cases and including Harpers plea, a total of seven companies and 24 individuals have pleaded guilty, been convicted and found guilty, or entered civil settlements with the Government.
