When we think of federal contracts and public money, we expect integrity, fairness, and accountability.

But a major corruption case has just come to light—one that involved over half a billion dollars in U.S. taxpayer funds and a scheme that stretched across more than a decade.

At the center of it all? A former USAID contracting officer and three business executives who played the system for personal gain.

A Contracting Officer and Three Company Presidents Admit Guilt

Four men, including 57-year-old Roderick Watson of Woodstock, Maryland, have pleaded guilty in a long-running bribery scheme.

Watson, a contracting officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), admitted to accepting bribes in return for steering federal contracts.

Also pleading guilty:

Walter Barnes, 46, of Potomac, Maryland, who ran PM Consulting Group (doing business as Vistant)
Darryl Britt, 64, of Myakka City, Florida, the head of Apprio, Inc.
Paul Young, 62, of Columbia, Maryland, who served as a subcontractor to both Apprio and Vistant

The case centers on at least 14 prime contracts totaling over $550 million, awarded improperly under USAID’s programs.

Apprio and Vistant Agree to Settle and Cooperate with Justice Department

Both Apprio and Vistant—certified small businesses under the SBA 8(a) program—have admitted to their roles in the conspiracy and securities fraud.

To avoid further prosecution, both companies entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the Justice Department.

Under these deals, the companies must:

Admit guilt
Work closely with investigators
Strengthen internal compliance programs
Regularly report back on their progress

Apprio’s criminal fine was originally set at over $51 million, but due to financial hardship, the settlement was reduced to $500,000.

Vistant was penalized over $86 million, but similarly negotiated a $100,000 civil settlement to avoid collapse.

How the Bribery Scheme Worked Behind the Scenes

According to court documents, the fraud began back in 2013.

Watson used his position at USAID to help Britt’s company, Apprio, win valuable government contracts.

Apprio, eligible under the SBA’s 8(a) program meant to help disadvantaged businesses, used its status to score non-competitive bids.

When Apprio aged out of that eligibility, the scheme shifted—Vistant became the lead contractor, with Apprio serving as the subcontractor.

Watson continued to manipulate contract awards in their favor through insider influence.

The bribes were extensive. They weren’t just envelopes of cash—Watson reportedly received:

High-end electronics
NBA suite tickets
A lavish country club wedding
Two mortgage down payments
Jobs for his relatives
Altogether, Watson allegedly raked in over $1 million in bribes during the scheme.

Fraudulent Loans and Securities Deals Exposed

The corruption didn’t stop with contract manipulation.

In 2022, Barnes and Watson convinced a small business investment company to provide a $14 million loan to Vistant by misleading them about the company’s performance and Watson’s impartiality.

Barnes even arranged for himself to receive a $10 million dividend from that loan.

Similarly, in 2023, Britt—acting through Apprio—induced a private equity firm to buy a 20% stake and issue a $4 million loan, again by hiding the fact that he’d been bribing Watson for years.

Justice Department Condemns Abuse of Public Trust

Officials didn’t mince words when speaking about the case.

“These defendants lined their pockets at the expense of American taxpayers,” said Matthew R. Galeotti of the DOJ. “This is a betrayal of public trust.”

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes called Watson’s actions “intolerable,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust in federal institutions.

Meanwhile, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and USAID’s Office of Inspector General all played key roles in investigating the case.

Sentencing Dates and Penalties Ahead

All four men now await sentencing:

Britt is scheduled for July 28 and faces up to 5 years.
Young will be sentenced on September 3, also facing 5 years.
Watson could get up to 15 years when sentenced on October 6.
Barnes is due for sentencing on October 14, with a maximum of 5 years on the line.

Final Thoughts: A Warning About Corruption in Government Contracts

This case serves as a strong reminder: even systems meant to uplift disadvantaged businesses can be exploited when oversight fails.

The DOJ’s actions show a commitment to rooting out fraud, but it also raises broader questions about how often misconduct like this goes undetected.

The investigation continues, and for those involved—individuals and corporations alike—justice is on its way.