Accusations of Pentagon bribery outlined

A top Air Force official has been accused by federal investigators of receiving ``payments and other gratuities'' in exchange for helping a defense consultant and contractors, according to a newspaper report. Victor D. Cohen, deputy assistant Air Force secretary in charge of buying tactical command, control, communications and computer systems, ``used his official position'' to help consultant William Galvin and his defense-contractor clients, The Washington Post reported.

``Cohen's participation has ranged from providing Galvin's clients with proprietary information to structuring procurements in a manner that eliminates competition,'' said an affidavit unsealed Tuesday. The document was filed in court last June and was released by a federal magistrate in Hyattsville, Md., in response to a lawsuit by the Post.

``Cohen's assistance to Galvin's clients can clearly be traced to illegal payments and gratuities provided to him by Galvin or the clients,'' said the affidavit, which was filed to support a search of Mr. Cohen's house. The affidavit apparently gave no total, but mentions that an earlier investigation of Cohen revealed a $2,500 check from Mr. Galvin to Cohen in January 1982.

Cohen's attorney, Seymour Glanzer, did not answer a telephone call to his home late Tuesday night. The Post said Galvin's attorney also was not available for comment.

Prosecutors have said they have evidence that consultants - including some former high-level Reagan administration officials and former high-ranking military men who work for the nation's largest defense contractors - bribed Pentagon officials for information vital to winning contracts.

There have been no indictments in the case, which was revealed in June when FBI agents raided more than 40 locations, including Cohen's home and office and Galvin's office.