In a significant case of corruption, a USAID contracting officer and three company executives have pleaded guilty to a decade-long bribery scheme. The scheme, which involved over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars, has led to serious repercussions for those involved.
Roderick Watson, a USAID contracting officer, admitted to bribery, while Walter Barnes, Darryl Britt, and Paul Young confessed to conspiracy to commit bribery. The scheme involved manipulating the procurement process at USAID for personal gain. The individuals involved, including Watson, Barnes, Britt, and Young, along with the companies Apprio and Vistant, were implicated in influencing the award of contracts in exchange for bribes.
The bribes, which included cash, gifts, and other benefits, were often concealed through electronic bank transfers and shell companies. Investigations by the FBI, USAID OIG, and IRS-CI brought the scheme to light. As a result, Watson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, while the other defendants face up to five years. Apprio and Vistant have agreed to deferred prosecution agreements and will cooperate with the Justice Department.