The owner of a Chattanooga landscaping business was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison after his conviction for money laundering and bribing of a public official.
James Pittman was indicted in May. Authorities say he worked with two other co-conspirators.
Information filed against Pittman said co-conspirator #1, while working in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, "would wrongfully obtain large amounts of cash, from contractors seeking to do business with the U.S.
Army, and in return for his official acts with the U.S. Army."
It also said on numerous occasions, co-conspirator #1 would ship containers with cash from Afghanistan to Pittman - approximately $70,000 - with the understanding between the two that Pittman would pass the cash through his landscaping business and return most of it to co-conspirator # 1 in the form of "salary" checks from the company bank account.
During his sentencing hearing before Federal Court Judge Sandy Mattice, Pittman's attorney argued for alternative sentencing.
He said, "In the military, you help a buddy out, to the death. This was a friend who came and used his friendship."
Pittman said at the time his business and personal life were on the rocks and he desperately needed the money. He said it allowed him to "keep making the payroll" for his employees.
He said, "I am completely sorry to everyone involved. I just hope that you can look at me as a whole, your honor. I'm almost 46."
However, Judge Mattice said, "I think you've learned your lesson. But I have to send a message."