Federal prosecutors in New Jersey say a former Army employee who pocketed nearly $4 million in kickbacks has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Nazareth, Pa., resident John Alfy Salama Markus worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq.

Authorities say he took bribes from two men who worked with companies seeking U.S. contracts in Iraq. They say in exchange he provided them with confidential bid and pricing information.

The companies were awarded more than $50 million in contracts.

Authorities say Salama Markus transferred the money from foreign banks to accounts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They say he built a $1.1 million house in Pennsylvania with it.

Salama Markus pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and failing to file a U.S. Treasury report. He was sentenced Tuesday.