By Mark Reynolds
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Warwick lawyer accused of participating in a kickback scheme that allegedly looted $10 million in Navy contract funds has reached a plea agreement that could keep her out of prison.
Under the terms of the agreement, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Providence, Mary E. O'Rourke has agreed to plea guilty to a charge of theft of government property and federal prosecutors have agreed to recommend probation rather than imprisonment.
The agreement is null and void if another figure in the case, Ralph Mariano, fails to plea guilty, too.
Federal prosecutors did not reach any other plea agreement in the matter on Tuesday, according to Jim Martin, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.