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[AP]

West Virginia Highway Project Bribes Alleged

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – Federal prosecutors say four people conspired to steer $1.5 million of West Virginia highways project to a South Carolina business for bribes and kickbacks between 2008 and 2014.

According to prosecutors, 60-yaer-old Bruce Kenney III of Norfolk, Virginia, used his former state position to funnel structural inspection work to the Dennis Corp. of Columbia while covertly receiving nearly $200,000.

Thirty-eight-year-old Andrew Nichols of Lesage, West Virginia, a former Dennis manager, allegedly ensured the payments.

Fifty-two-year-old Mark Whitt of Winfield, West Virginia, owner of Bayliss and Ramey Inc., allegedly used its state contract to funnel work to Dennis and inflate invoices 20 percent.

Forty-year-old James Travis Miller of Hurricane, West Virginia, who left the state payroll to work for Dennis, allegedly delivered payments.

Calls to their attorneys were not immediately returned.