In June 2025, a major bribery scandal involving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) came to light, with a USAID contracting officer and three corporate executives pleading guilty to a decade-long scheme. The scheme involved at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million. The Department of Justice announced that Roderick Watson, a USAID contracting officer, pleaded guilty to bribery. Walter Barnes, the owner of Vistant, and Darryl Britt, the owner of Apprio, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Paul Young, a subcontractor executive, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.
The scheme, which began in 2013, involved Watson accepting bribes in exchange for steering contracts to Apprio and Vistant. The bribes, which totaled over $1 million, were funneled through Young and shell entities. The bribes included cash, gifts, and benefits. In return, Watson manipulated the procurement process by recommending the companies for non-competitive awards and approving funding increases. Both Apprio and Vistant admitted criminal liability for bribery and securities fraud.
The Justice Department has stated that Watson faces up to 15 years in prison, while the other defendants face up to five years. Sentencing dates are scheduled for October 6, July 28, and September 3, and October 14, 2025, respectively. The case has led to increased scrutiny of federal contracting processes and oversight at USAID. The companies involved have entered into deferred prosecution agreements and are required to cooperate with the Justice Department and implement compliance programs.