Federal contracting officer pleads guilty in massive USAID bribery scandal

A massive bribery scandal has rocked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency that was essentially dismantled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in an effort to cut waste and abuse. The scandal involved a federal contracting officer, Roderick Watson, and three businessmen who pleaded guilty to a scheme involving bribes totaling over $1 million.

Watson, who worked as a USAID contracting officer, admitted to accepting bribes from contractors Walter Barnes and Darryl Britt, who funneled payoffs through subcontractor Paul Young to conceal their actions. The bribes included cash, laptops, NBA tickets, a country club wedding, downpayments on mortgages, and jobs for relatives. The scheme was part of a $550 million scam that involved false invoices, electronic bank transfers, and shell companies to hide the illicit payments.

The scandal has raised concerns about corruption within government programs and the misuse of taxpayer funds. USAID, which was at the center of DOGE’s efforts to cut waste and fraud, saw its programs slashed by 83% and its vital programs transferred to the State Department. The agency’s website went dark, employees were placed on administrative leave, and its headquarters were shut down.

Critics of the cuts, including Democrats and media outlets, argued that the reductions would harm impoverished recipients of aid around the world. However, the scandal exposed how U.S. dollars were ending up in the hands of terror-linked groups, raising questions about the effectiveness of USAID’s programs.

Despite the controversy surrounding USAID’s dismantling, officials are committed to rooting out fraud and corruption within U.S. foreign assistance programs. The Department of Justice has vowed to hold accountable those who defraud American taxpayers and abuse their positions of trust for personal gain.

As the scandal unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in government agencies. The investigation into the bribery scheme underscores the need for continued vigilance in preventing waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs.