Top Air Force Official Dies in Apparent Suicide

[flashl]

The second-highest ranking member of the Air Force’s procurement office was found deadof an apparent suicide at his Virginia home Sunday, Air Force and police officials said today.

The official, Charles D. Riechers, 47, came under scrutiny by the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month after the Air Force arranged for him to be paid $13,400 a month by a private contractor, Commonwealth Research Institute, while he awaited review from the White House of his appointment as principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition. He was appointed to the job in January.

The Washington Post reported on Oct. 1 that the contractor, Commonwealth Research, registered as a nonprofit organization in Johnstown, Pa., paid Mr. Riechers for two months as a senior technical adviser, though he did no work for the company.

“I really didn’t do anything for C.R.I.” Mr. Riechers told The Post. “I got a paycheck from them.”Read More ...

He was quite young to be the Air Force's second in command. Rather than Congress trying to pick off the small dealers, I would rather it focus on the profiteers within.

[Ilsa]

1. These people are getting really good at making "suicide" look "apparent". nt

[mod mom]

3. Can't have anyone naming names.

[Rex]

2. Baxterized.

[Ilsa]

8. I guess having am air force guy wellstoned would be too ironic. nt

[RB TexLa]

4. That's his right.

[Fovea]

5. And the same week I saw the new Clooney movie

whatta co-inkidink.

[Disturbed]

6. How apparent was his suicide?

Hmmmm?

[CatWoman]

7. oops

nevermind :)

[burythehatchet]

9. He ran himself over with his own car.

[Crabby Appleton]

10. 'was found deceased in his home,

cause of death appears to be suicide, time of death is unknown,' according to the memo, sent late Sunday by the Air Force Operations Center in the Pentagon."