A former Ohio deputy treasurer has pleaded guilty to federal program bribery and conspiracy charges in a kickback scheme. Amer Ahmad, of Chicago, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court. Prosecutors say he faces up to 10 years in prison for the bribery charge and up to five years for conspiracy.
Attorney and lobbyist Mohammed Noure Alo, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in the scheme last week. Court documents say that between January 2009 and January 2011, Ahmad, Alo and others conspired to use Ahmad's role as deputy treasurer to direct state brokerage services to a securities broker in return for payments.
Prosecutors allege Ahmad and another man concealed payments from the broker by passing them through the accounts of a landscaping business. Ahmad later worked as Chicago comptroller.