Guilty plea in air cargo kickback scheme

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A former Illinois charter airline executive pleaded guilty in Florida Friday in a kickback scheme to defraud Ryan International Airlines.

Wayne E. Kepple, former vice president of ground operations for the Rockford, Ill., carrier, pleaded guilty in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to charges he received $520,000 in kickbacks in exchange for awarding contracts to his conspirators.

Kepple was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, and wire fraud. Each count carries a possible 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, which could be increased.