3rd NC-based soldier charged with embezzlement

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A third soldier based in Fort Bragg has been charged with embezzling more than $1 million from an Afghanistan business.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Staff Sgt. Jason Begany of Erwin pleaded guilty Tuesday in Raleigh.

Begany had been charged last month.

Sgt. Edwin Vando and Sgt. Juan Lamboy Rivera also were charged with embezzling nearly $1.3 million while deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Finance Battalion.

Vando and Rivera pleaded guilty in 2011 and promised to testify against a third soldier who had not yet been indicted.

Court documents identify Begany as being in charge of the camp finance office.

All three soldiers face up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.