SAN ANTONIO - An Army major and his wife accused of accepting at least $11.7 million in bribes for U.S. government contracts for Iraq reconstruction were ordered held without bond Tuesday.

Magistrate Judge Pamela Mathy of U.S. District Court in San Antonio ordered Maj. John Cockerham and his wife, Melissa Cockerham, held without bond because of millions of dollars in cash allegedly stored offshore and accusations they attempted to cover their tracks, even as they cooperated with investigative authorities this year.

“The allegations in this case are extraordinary, I believe,” Mathy said as the couple sat side-by’side in navy blue federal detention-issued clothing. “It seems like a small step to flee this country.”

The Cockerhams were arrested at their home on Fort Sam Houston on July 22, accused of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy stemming from John Cockerham’s work as a contracting officer in Kuwait in 2004 and 2005.

John Cockerham’s sister, Carolyn Blake, was also arrested in Dallas but was released on bond by the federal court there Monday.

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