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COURTS Ashland defense contractor pleads guilty to bribery charge Comment By Staff and wire reports MailTribune.com By Staff and wire reports Posted Apr. 18, 2016 at 4:04 PM Updated Apr 18, 2016 at 4:29 PM By Staff and wire reports Posted Apr. 18, 2016 at 4:04 PM Updated Apr 18, 2016 at 4:29 PM » Social News PORTLAND — An Ashland defense contractor acknowledged Monday that he bribed a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program manager to secure $171 million in contracts over a decade. The 73-year-old contractor, who goes by the singular name Sky, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and could face a maximum of five years in prison at his Oct. 11 sentencing. Lawyers for both sides indicated a sentence of about two years is more likely. Sky — who changed his name from William Hovelman — did not say much in court, beyond answering procedural questions from U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez. He and his attorney, Michael Levine, declined comment outside the courtroom. The judge gave Sky permission to make a planned trip outside the U.S. Federal prosecutors have been investigating Sky Research, whose headquarters are located near the Ashland airport, since 2010. In March 2012, federal agents seized thousands of payroll, tax and personal finance documents as well as digital data and other items from the company offices and the home of Sky and his wife, Anne Sky, in 1000 block of East Main Street. Sky Research Inc. specializes in aerial mapping, geophysical surveys and remote sensing, and developed equipment for detecting unexploded material. The company's products were put to use in decommissioned military ranges and other areas that could harbor live munitions. Court documents say Jerry Hodgson, a program manager for the Army Corps in Nebraska, rigged bids on nine contracts. The bribes included a car, an Alaskan fishing expedition, meals and accommodations in Costa Rica and Vietnam and $4,000 in cash, among other items, according to prosecutors. Affidavits filed in 2012 also allege the Skys provided Hodgson with three personal assistants over a span of eight years to fulfill sexual favors for him. Hodgson has not been charged in the case and a phone number for him could not be found. Andrew Strotman, his attorney when the case became public in 2012, did not immediately return a phone message. Thomas O'Hara, an Army Corps spokesman, said Hodgson was "let go" several years ago and declined further comment. Affidavits filed to obtain the search warrants in 2012 outlined much of the investigation. U.S. Army Special Agent Derek W. Lindbom wrote that an informant contacted the Army's inspector general in 2010 to report that Hodgson had returned contract bids to Sky Research with instructions on how to change the forms to win the bids. Hodgson told investigators he considered Sky a good friend and acknowledged vacationing with him, the affidavits said. Shown invoices from the Alaska fishing trip paid for by Sky, Hodgson said he paid him back in cash but couldn't remember from which account the money had been withdrawn. By Staff and wire reports MailTribune.com By Staff and wire reports Posted Apr. 18, 2016 at 4:04 PM Updated Apr 18, 2016 at 4:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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