Arkansas-based contractor Rocky Williams pleaded guilty Dec. 18 to paying James Newton over $530,000 in bribes and other incentives from 2002 to 2012 in exchange for construction contracts at multiple hospitals where Mr. Newton worked during that time, according to the Lexington Herald Leader.
Between 2002 and 2008, Mr. Williams paid to win construction contracts at St. Vincent Hospital campuses in Hot Springs and Little Rock, Ark., when Mr. Newton worked there.
When Mr. Newton became executive director of facilities at Lexington, Ky.-based Saint Joseph Hospital, Mr. Williams paid bribes and also bought Mr. Newton gifts including a motorcycle, golf club membership, pool table and vacations. Mr. Williams also paid Mr. Newton's credit card bills in exchange for the contracts.
Mr. Newton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud in September.
As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Williams will pay $532,660 in restitution.