MICHELLE R. SMITH
Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A former civilian naval engineer from Virginia and his father have said they want to waive a jury trial in connection with an alleged kickback scheme that federal prosecutors say cost the U.S. Navy $10 million.
Providence Journal photo
Ralph Mariano
Providence Journal photo
Ralph Mariano Jr.
Ralph Mariano and his father, Ralph Mariano, Jr., are scheduled to go before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Lisi in Providence on Friday to ask her to decide their guilt or innocence in a bench trial. A filing their lawyers made this month indicates a third person indicted in the case, Mary O'Rourke, a former employee of a Navy contractor, also plans to ask for a bench trial.
The younger Mariano and O'Rourke are charged with counts including conspiracy, theft of government property and wire fraud. The older Mariano is accused of tax evasion.