When Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer landed a deal to sell eight turbine-driven propeller military aircraft to the Dominican air force for $96.4 million, it had inside help to make the 2009 sale, prosecutors said.

A now-retired Dominican Air Force colonel “who was the classmate of four-star generals” facilitated the sale and garnered senate approval in exchange for a $3.52 million bribe, according to court records.