VDOT supervisors charged in $9M snow removal contract bribery scheme appear in court

WASHINGTON - Two Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) employees charged with awarding snow removal contracts in exchange for cash kickbacks appeared in federal court on Friday for their detention hearing.

The owners of four snow removal companies who allegedly paid those bribes were also charged.

For years, the two VDOT supervisors, 54-year-old Anthony Willie and 41-year-old Kenneth Adams, allegedly approved $9.1 million in snow removal contracts to the four contractors. The clients then agreed to give Willie and Adams a cut -- about 5 to 10 percent of the value of the contract. Officials believe both VDOT employees received about $140,000 in bribes.

On Friday, when it was time for Adams to face the judge, an FBI agent was called to the stand to testify. The agent said Adams told him during an interview that he not only accepted bribes, but he also made thousands of dollars from selling illegal drugs.

The judge did release the VDOT employees and they will need to return to court at a later date.

All six people arrested connected to this case could face up to 20 years in jail for each charge.