Latest news with #bribery
Fox News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Four plead guilty in massive bribery scheme at agency Democrats fought to protect from DOGE
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency essentially dismantled by DOGE amid complaints from Democrats that cutting waste would harm impoverished countries, is at the center of a massive bribery scandal. A federal contracting officer and three businessmen have pleaded guilty in a scheme involving bribes like cash, NBA tickets, and a country club wedding in a scandal the Department of Justice (DOJ) said was part of a $550 million scam, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel reported Friday. Roderick Watson, 57, worked as a USAID contracting officer, according to a DOJ press release, and pleaded guilty to "bribery of a public official." According to the DOJ, Watson sold his influence starting in 2013, with contractors Walter Barnes, owner of Vistant, and Darryl Britt, owner of Apprio, funneling payoffs through subcontractor Paul Young to hide their tracks. "During the scheme, Britt and Barnes paid bribes to Watson that were often concealed by passing them through Young, who was the president of another subcontractor to Apprio and Vistant," the press release explained. "Britt and Barnes also regularly funneled bribes to Watson, including cash, laptops, thousands of dollars in tickets to a suite at an NBA game, a country club wedding, downpayments on two residential mortgages, cellular phones, and jobs for relatives. The bribes were also often concealed through electronic bank transfers falsely listing Watson on payroll, incorporated shell companies, and false invoices. Watson is alleged to have received bribes valued at more than approximately $1 million as part of the scheme." Vistant was awarded in November 2023, as part of a joint venture, a contract worth up to $800 million with one of the focuses of that contract being to address "a variety of issues affecting the root causes of irregular migration from Central America to the United States," an issue that President Joe Biden tasked then-Vice President Kamala Harris with during his presidency. Several days later, that contract was canceled after USAID published a notice that said Vistant was excluded from government contracting due to "evidence of conduct of a lack of business honesty or integrity." The joint venture then successfully sued the government over being put on that exclusion list and was re-awarded the contract and given a $10,000 payment in August 2024. "Corruption in government programs will not be tolerated. Watson abused his position of trust for personal gain while federal contractors engaged in a pay-to-play scheme," Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Sean Bottary of the USAID Office of Inspector General (USAID-OIG) said in the press release. "USAID-OIG is firmly committed to rooting out fraud and corruption within U.S. foreign assistance programs. Today's announcement underscores our unwavering focus on exposing criminal activity, including bribery schemes by those entrusted to faithfully award government contracts. We appreciate our longstanding partnership with the Department of Justice in holding accountable those who defraud American taxpayers." USAID was one of the public faces and most drastic examples of DOGE's efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in government, and the effort resulted in the agency's programs being cut by 83%, while the programs deemed vital were moved to the State Department. USAID's website went dark, and employees were barred from entering its headquarters on Feb. 3, while others had their work put on hold. The Trump administration then announced that all USAID direct-hire personnel would be put on administrative leave. The agency came under fire for many funding choices, including allocating $1.5 million for a program that sought to "advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia's workplaces and business communities" and a $70,000 program for a "DEI musical" in Ireland. During DOGE's sweep, it was revealed that U.S. dollars were ending up in the hands of terror-linked groups, such as funds reportedly providing "full funding" for al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki to attend college in Colorado, Fox News Digital previously reported. As DOGE was dismantling USAID, many Democrats and media outlets blasted the cuts, claiming they would harm impoverished recipients of aid across the globe and some, including U2 frontman Bono, who said the cuts would lead to over 300,000 deaths. Several House and Senate Democrats protested outside of USAID's headquarters in early February, expressing outrage over the layoffs and cuts, The Hill reported. "Anybody who cares about good and effective government should be concerned about the waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies, including USAID," Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said in the DOJ's press release.
Arabian Business
a day ago
- Politics
- Arabian Business
UAE arrests wanted former Interpol official on fraud charges
The UAE has arrested a former Interpol official wanted on suspicion of forgery, bribery and fraud charges. The Ministry of Interior in the UAE announced the arrest of Vitalie Pîrlog, a Moldovan national wanted in connection with a cross-border corruption case. Pîrlog, who had been the subject of an active Red Notice issued by INTERPOL at the request of French authorities, was apprehended on Sunday, 15th June 2025. UAE arrests Vitalie Pîrlog Previously, Pîrlog held the position of Chairman of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF). He now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud. The arrest is part of a sustained and strategic collaboration with international law enforcement bodies, and regional and global organisations, reaffirming the UAE's steadfast commitment to the security and stability of the international community. In a statement, French officials praised the Ministry of Interior's professionalism and resolve, emphasising that such coordinated operations highlight the vital importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
2 law enforcement officers, business owner sentenced in Riverside County bribery scheme
A pair of law enforcement officers and the owner of a towing company were each sentenced on Tuesday after a jury convicted them for their involvement in a bribery scheme. A former lieutenant and a former sergeant with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, along with the business owner, were convicted in June 2024, were convicted in June 2024 of bribery and conspiracy. The defendants filed motions for a new trial, but the motion was denied, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. 53-year-old Samuel Flores, the former lieutenant, was sentenced to two years of formal probation and 270 days in county jail. 59-year-old Robert Christolon, the former sergeant, received a sentence of two years of formal probation and 180 days to be served in the sheriff's work release program. Cody Close, 33 and the former owner of DJ's Towing in Temecula, was sentenced to two years of formal probation and 120 days in county jail. Flores and Close will begin serving their sentences in jail immediately. Prosecutors say that when Flores and Christolon were in charge of the Traffic Bureau at the Sheriff's Southwest Station in Temecula in 2018 and 2019, they directed business to DJ's Towing in exchange for bribes. As a result of the scheme, Flores and Christolon received a stay at an oceanfront beach house, tickets to the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival, a 1979 Corvette, a 1968 International pickup truck and a Honda Civic. In text messages, Flores and Close discussed Close's business with the sheriff's office. One message from Flores to Close said, "make that money, homie," according to prosecutors. Another deputy, Kevin Carpenter, was sentenced last October for his role in the scheme to two years of probation and 180 days to be served in the work release program.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC nabs Sabah assemblyman, businessman over alleged mining scandal
According to the MACC, the suspects are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a businessman and a Sabah assemblyman in connection with the mining scandal in the state. According to an MACC source, the suspects, both of whom carry the 'Datuk' title, were arrested separately at the anti-graft agency's office in Sabah and its headquarters in Putrajaya this morning. The duo, in their 30s and 60s, are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences. 'They are believed to have committed the offence between 2023 and 2024. 'Preliminary investigations also discovered that the two suspects would often solicit and accept bribes to manage the application for mining licences,' the source said. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrests. He said the authorities were investigating the case under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act involving the giving and accepting of bribes. Azam said the businessman was released on a RM100,000 bond with two sureties after providing his statement. He said the assemblyman was also released on a RM50,000 bond with one surety after he had his statement taken. Earlier today, Azam confirmed that two assemblymen are among three individuals set to be charged in connection with the mining scandal. He said they would be charged this month, with the Sabah corruption court expected to fix a date soon. The alleged scandal was reported in 2024 after a series of videos linking several Sabah assemblymen to it were leaked. The videos allegedly depicted discussions involving bribery and misconduct related to mineral exploration projects in the state. In February, Azam said the initial batch of videos lacked credibility as they had been heavily edited.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Ex-deputy Senate president claims trial to 20 bribery charges involving RM235,000 and luxury cars
SHAH ALAM, June 18 — Former Senate deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to 20 bribery charges of accepting RM235,000 in cash and three luxury cars, related to a Melaka land reclamation project. Mohamad Ali, 61, entered the plea after the charges were read separately before Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud. As the managing director of a property development company, Mohamad Ali was charged with 17 counts of accepting bribes in cash ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000, totalling RM235,000, from another company director who holds the 'Datuk' title. For the remaining three charges, he was accused of receiving three luxury vehicles — a BMW 730Li, a Range Rover, and a Bentley Flying Spur — from the same individual. The bribes were allegedly inducements for appointing the specified company as the contractor responsible for the construction and completion of reclamation works and related works under a project to reclaim 100 acres of coastal waters in Kota Laksamana, Melaka Tengah, Melaka, valued at RM45.1 million for a mixed development. The alleged offences took place at two locations in Glenmarie and Sungai Buloh, Selangor, between January 2017 and January 20 of this year. These offences fall under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. If convicted, they are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine. During today's proceedings, MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib proposed bail of RM60,000 with one surety and requested the accused to surrender his passport to the court. Lawyer Md Yunos Shariff, representing Mohamad Ali, agreed to the proposed bail amount for all 20 charges. The court granted bail and also ordered the accused not to contact any prosecution witnesses. The case is set for mention on July 24. — Bernama
