BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man has been convicted for his role in a massive telecommunications project that could result in a potential years-long federal prison sentence.

Wayne I. Kacher, Jr., 51, was found guilty this week by a federal jury after a seven-day trial for honest services wire fraud and bribery. He faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy; 20 years in prison for honest services wire fraud; and ten years in prison for federal program bribery.

Kacher was the president and owner of Bel Air Underground, Inc., a company that principally operates in Baltimore County. He was accused of providing financial benefits to William Patrick Mitchell, the president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc.

Between 2014 and 2018, MdBC paid Kacher’s company more than $11 million for broadband network related work. The money was paid for the installation and improvement of a fiber optic broadband connection from NASA Wallops Island to Patuxent River Naval Air Station in St. Mary’s County.

The trial evidence presented by the government outlined Kacher’s financial gifts to Mitchell, which included cash payments, a vehicle, and renovations and improvements to Mitchell’s residence. Kacher was clearly motivated by the desire to receive favorable treatment for his company from Mitchell, who was not only the chief executive of MdBC but also a substantial shareholder in the company.

Mitchell, who is also from Harford County, pleaded guilty in May to two counts of conspiracy and honest services wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 4, 2024.

The sentencing hearing for Kacher has not yet been scheduled.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels