BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A former contractor for the Navy’s Military Sealift Command has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes.

Federal prosecutors say Stafford resident Scott Miserendino and a former Military Sealift Command civil servant accepted more than $265,000 in bribes over five years. Prosecutors say they took the bribes from two Chesapeake companies to help steer more than $5 million in government contracts to the companies.

Miserendino pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk on Tuesday. He was charged with acceptance of a bribe by a public official and a conspiracy to commit bribery of a public official.

Several others connected with the scheme have already pleaded guilty to related charges. Miserendino is set to be sentenced Nov. 7.

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