In a major enforcement action, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a former USAID contracting officer and three corporate executives have pleaded guilty to orchestrating a decade-long bribery scheme that manipulated over $550 million in federal contracts. The case highlights a sweeping abuse of the federal procurement process, with significant implications for oversight and accountability in government contracting.
Roderick Watson, 57, of Woodstock, Maryland, a former USAID official, admitted to accepting more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for steering contracts and leaking sensitive information. His actions allowed companies to gain unfair advantages in securing lucrative, non-competitive awards through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Two of the companies involved—Apprio, Inc. and PM Consulting Group LLC (doing business as Vistant)—have admitted criminal liability and entered into three-year deferred prosecution agreements with the DOJ. The agreements require cooperation with ongoing investigations, implementation of internal compliance reforms, and regular progress reports.
Walter Barnes, 46, of Potomac, Maryland, president of Vistant; Darryl Britt, 64, of Myakka City, Florida, president of Apprio; and Paul Young, 62, of Columbia, Maryland, a subcontractor executive, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Britt also pleaded guilty to securities fraud.
The fraudulent scheme began in 2013 while Apprio was participating in the SBA 8(a) program, which offers contracting opportunities to disadvantaged businesses. After Apprio exited the program in 2018, Barnes’ company Vistant took over as prime contractor, with Apprio acting as a subcontractor. Throughout, Watson used his government position to steer contracts, leak bid information, and influence award decisions—all in exchange for illicit compensation.
According to court filings, bribes included cash payments, electronics, NBA suite tickets, a luxury wedding, mortgage support, phones, and even jobs for Watson’s relatives. The payments were disguised using shell companies, false invoices, and falsified payroll entries.
In 2022, Watson and Barnes defrauded a small business investment company by obtaining a $14 million loan for Vistant, based on Watson’s misrepresented endorsement. In a separate incident in 2023, Britt deceived a private equity firm into investing in Apprio’s parent company by concealing ongoing criminal activity.
The DOJ noted that Apprio will pay a $500,000 civil penalty, while Vistant will pay $100,000, reflecting their limited ability to pay higher amounts without jeopardizing operations. The companies are also required to maintain compliance programs and continue cooperating with authorities.
Sentencing dates are scheduled as follows: Watson faces up to 15 years in prison on October 6. Barnes, Britt, and Young each face up to five years, with hearings on October 14, July 28, and September 3, respectively.
“Public trust is a hallmark of our nation’s values, so corruption within a federal government agency is intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “These actions undermine integrity and cheat taxpayers.”
As the investigation continues, the Justice Department has reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out corruption within federal agencies and ensuring that government contracts are awarded based on merit—not manipulation.
DailyClout will continue to cover this story.
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Author: Sean Probber
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