Federal contractor who hid in UAE for 20 years pleads guilty to defrauding U.S.

A Syrian-American dual citizen who lived in the United Arab Emirates for more than 20 years to avoid extradition to the United States pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Justice Department announced.

Ammar Kanaan is a former engineering contractor for the Federal Highway Administration who fled the United States in 1998.

While working for the Federal Highway Administration from 1993 to 1998, Kanaan and other contractors illegally sent cash orders and payments to an agency official. The officer then allowed them to submit false reimbursement invoices, according to court documents.

After being questioned by federal agents in 1998, Kanan fled the country, first to Syria and then to the United Arab Emirates, successfully blocking extradition by both countries. He was arrested by Italian law enforcement in August while traveling in the country and extradited to the United States on January 5.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and payment of gratuities. He is due to be sentenced on May 19 and faces up to five years in prison.