Prosecutors Trying Plea Deal in OCTO Kickback Case

A federal prosecutor disclosed in court today that he and defense lawyers were working on a potential plea deal in the case of Yusuf Acar, 40, a former D.C. government technology manager accused of running an audacious bribery and kickback scheme.

Acar, of Northwest Washington, was arrested by the FBI in March and charged with wire fraud and conspiring to commit bribery and launder money in a scam that cost the D.C. government at least $500,000.

He was accused of using his position as acting chief security officer to steer contracts to companies for bribes. They also say he had a stake in a company that received D.C. contracts and received kickbacks for hiring "ghost" employees.

Another D.C. employee and a business executive were charged in the case.

During a brief hearing today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Hibarger said he and Acar's defense attorney, Dani Jahn, "are working toward a resolution" in the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola then set a hearing for Aug. 3 to receive an update from the attorneys.

Hibarger and Jahn declined to comment after the hearing. Acar has not yet been indicted, another indication that plea negotiations are in the works.

-- Del Quentin Wilber