Rhode Island Lawyer Is Arraigned in Navy Kickbacks Case
A Rhode Island lawyer who worked for a Navy contractor was arraigned Monday on charges that she participated in a scheme that led to $10 million in government losses.
Lawyer Mary O’Rourke pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, theft of government property and wire fraud, according to the Providence Journal and the Associated Press.
A prior story by the Providence Journal details the allegations. According to federal prosecutors, O’Rourke is the girlfriend of the scheme’s alleged ringleader, Ralph Mariano, who helped obtain a job for her at Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow.
O’Rourke is accused of helping arrange for Navy funds to be funneled to Mariano, partly through a company in which she was the only employee. In turn, he shared the money with family and associates, prosecutors say.
O’Rourke’s lawyer, Bill Devereaux, defended his client as a responsible employee, AP says. “Most people who know Mary O’Rourke would say she is a person of impeccable character,” he said.
