[JURIST] Robert J. Stein [Wikipedia profile], a former US Defense Department contract official for the Coalition Provisional Authority [official website] in Iraq, pleaded guilty [DOJ press release] Thursday to charges of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, unlawful possession of machine guns, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stein, along with American businessman Philip Bloom [Wikipedia profile], was charged [JURIST report] last year, and stood accused of stealing $600,000 in cash, conspiring to steal $2 million and rigging bids on $8.6 million in reconstruction contracts. Earlier this week, Stein admitted his role in the conspiracy [JURIST report] in court filings. Five US Army officers were also allegedly involved [JURIST report] in the scheme. AP has more.