Ex-Water Official Admits Crime
- Share via
A former Mojave Water Agency official pleaded guilty Monday to federal corruption charges for awarding contracts to companies that then paid him more than $1 million as a subcontractor over five years, officials said.
Russell John Mullins, 64, of Rancho Mirage was the director of engineering, operations and maintenance for the agency from 1993 to 1998.
Mullins awarded contracts to companies run by James Dale Cole Jr. of Yucaipa and Pasquale Benenati Jr. of Riverside. Both have pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting theft from a program that receives federal funds.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
