The New York Times reports on the apparent suicide of Charles D. Riechers, the second-highest ranking member of the Air Force’s procurement office:
The official, Charles D. Riechers, 47, came under scrutiny by the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month after the Air Force arranged for him to be paid $13,400 a month by a private contractor, Commonwealth Research Institute, while he awaited review from the White House of his appointment as principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition. He was appointed to the job in January. The Washington Post reported on Oct. 1 that the contractor, Commonwealth Research, registered as a nonprofit organization in Johnstown, Pa., paid Mr. Riechers for two months as a senior technical adviser, though he did no work for the company. “I really didn’t do anything for C.R.I.” Mr. Riechers told The Post. “I got a paycheck from them.”
Why do all these bizarre scandals/boondoggles always center on little old Johnstown, PA? What could possibly be the reason? Update: The Danger Room has a lot more on this story.
