Man Freed By South Sudan Arrested For Kickbacks

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A businessman recently released from prison in South Sudan has been arrested on charges of receiving more than $73,000 in illegal kickbacks in Afghanistan.

A criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in federal court in New Orleans charges Elton Maurice "Mark" McCabe III, 53, of Slidell, La., with one count of receiving illegal kickbacks and one count of wire fraud.

According to court documents, McCabe took cash bribes and a $53,000 wire transfer in 2009 from subcontractors in exchange for giving them work. Also, prosecutors say McCabe took cash and a $20,000 wire transfer to his wife's bank account for selling company construction material for his own benefit.

McCabe's wife, Anne McCabe, denied the charges against her husband. She said the wired money was back pay and that the family paid taxes.