Illinois project engineer charged with demanding bribe in $2.5 million Iraq project

Man allegedly squeezed Army contractor for payoff

CHICAGO — Federal officials say a civilian project engineer has been charged with squeezing an Army Corps of Engineers contractor for a bribe in connection with a $2.5 million plan to build a park in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

The U.S. attorney’s office said Monday that Joselito Domingo, 45, of suburban Bolingbrook, is accused of demanding a $40,000 payoff in connection with the park.

The contractor whom Domingo allegedly pressured for a bribe cooperated with investigators.

A court affidavit says Domingo supervised various construction projects such as schools and roads in and around Kirkuk from 2005 to November 2008.

Bribery carries a maximum penalty of 15 years and a $250,000 fine, although advisory sentencing guidelines could call for a lesser sentence.