Former Pittsburgh Employee Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH—A former city of Pittsburgh employee pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Christine Ann Kebr, 55, of 983 Redwood Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15234, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Kebr was an employee of the city of Pittsburgh with responsibility for installing radios and mobile data terminals (MDTs) in city police cars. She conspired with others to create a company, Alpha Outfitters, in order to steer a city contract to Alpha Outfitters, for the installation of MDTs in police cars. Alpha received the contract in part by fraudulently representing that the company was a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued her on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Christine Ann Kebr.