
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 3, 1995                   TAG: 9502030072
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CONCORD, N.H.                                 LENGTH: Short

EX-HONDA OFFICIAL ADMITS KICKBACKS

A former American Honda Motor Co. executive pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges he tried to conceal dealers' payoffs to his supervisors in a massive kickback scam.

James Mortimer, 39, a former Honda regional manager, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to having knowledge of a felony and failing to report it. The scam has touched 30 states and has resulted in charges against other Honda executives. He faces three years in prison and a $500 fine.

Mortimer was linked to the scam after he unwittingly shared in a $100,000 alleged payoff with two of his superiors that stemmed from the approval of a Santa Fe, N.M., dealership.

Mortimer said he thought the $33,333 check he received was a bonus for his work on the account. One of the superiors, Edward Temple, has pleaded guilty and faces five years in prison for his part in the scheme. The other, Stanley James Cardiges, Honda's former top American sales executive, pleaded innocent along with two other former Honda executives. The three are to be tried Feb. 7.

They are accused of playing favorites in channeling Hondas and Acuras to dealers at a time when the cars were in high demand and short supply.

Eighteen others, including businessmen and lawyers, have pleaded guilty.

by CNB