On June 14, 2025, a major corruption case unfolded in the United States involving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Three contractors and a USAID official pleaded guilty to participating in a decade-long bribery scheme that secured over $550 million in contracts. The scheme involved payments to the official to influence contract awards, with two companies also admitting criminal liability. The investigation revealed that the fraud leveraged government racial ”set-aside” laws, allowing contracts to be awarded to minority-owned businesses without competitive bidding. The case came to light through whistleblower reports and forensic accounting, uncovering a network that included high-level officials and corporate executives. The guilty pleas mark a significant outcome, with the defendants facing potential fines and prison sentences, though specific penalties remain pending sentencing scheduled for late 2025. The scandal has prompted reviews of USAID’s procurement processes, with plans to implement stricter oversight measures. The total amount involved, $550 million, represents a substantial portion of USAID’s annual budget, highlighting the scale of the misconduct. Additional details suggest the scheme may have broader implications, with ongoing investigations exploring potential links to other government agencies, though no further convictions have been confirmed as of June 28, 2025.
34news.online
34news.online
