DOJ Reveals Insane USAID Scandal

Four individuals have pleaded guilty in a major bribery scheme tied to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency recently downsized amid political controversy.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed the case involved a $550 million corruption scam.

Roderick Watson, 57, a USAID contracting officer, admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for influence over government contracts.

The DOJ said Watson began selling his influence as early as 2013.

The scheme involved two contractors, Walter Barnes, owner of Vistant, and Darryl Britt, owner of Apprio.

They funneled payoffs through a subcontractor, Paul Young, in an effort to conceal their bribery activities, Fox News reported.

According to the DOJ, Britt and Barnes paid Watson with cash, luxury items, and favors. These included tickets to NBA games, a country club wedding, down payments on residential mortgages, laptops, cellular phones, and even jobs for Watson’s relatives.

The bribes were often disguised through false payroll listings, shell companies, and fake invoices to cover electronic bank transfers. Watson is alleged to have received bribes valued at over $1 million.

Vistant had been awarded a substantial contract in November 2023 worth up to $800 million. This contract focused on tackling issues related to irregular migration from Central America to the United States, a priority issue assigned by then-President Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Days after the contract was awarded, USAID canceled it, citing “evidence of conduct of a lack of business honesty or integrity” by Vistant. However, Vistant and its joint venture partners sued and successfully got reinstated on the government’s contracting list. They were also awarded a $10,000 payment in August 2024.

The scandal has added fuel to criticism of USAID, which has been at the center of efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut wasteful spending and fraud in federal programs.

DOGE’s measures led to an 83% cut in USAID’s programs. The agency’s essential functions were transferred to the State Department, its website was shut down, and employees were barred from headquarters. Many workers were laid off or placed on administrative leave.

USAID had faced scrutiny over funding choices. Among them were a $1.5 million program to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Serbian workplaces, and a $70,000 DEI musical in Ireland.

DOGE’s review of USAID also uncovered troubling findings, including U.S. funds allegedly reaching terror-linked groups. One case involved money reportedly supporting al-Qaeda-linked Anwar al-Awlaki’s college attendance in Colorado.

The agency’s dismantling sparked protests by Democrats and activists. Critics, including U2’s Bono, warned that cuts to USAID funding would lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths in impoverished countries.

In early February, House and Senate Democrats held protests outside USAID’s Washington headquarters, denouncing the layoffs and program reductions.

Acting Assistant Inspector General Sean Bottary of USAID’s Office of Inspector General condemned the bribery, saying it showed “abuse of trust” and a “pay-to-play scheme” undermining government integrity.

The DOJ’s Matthew R. Galeotti emphasized the importance of addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in government, citing USAID as a prime example.

The case highlights ongoing challenges in federal contracting and foreign aid programs, underscoring the need for vigilant oversight to protect taxpayer funds and ensure effective assistance to those in need.

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