Press Release

Sorensen Gross Construction Co. And Corporate Vice President Khalil Saab to Pay $2.481 Million To Settle Claims Related to USAID Aqaba Schools Project

The Justice Department announced today that Sorensen Gross Construction Company (Sorensen) and its corporate vice president, Khalil Saab, have agreed to pay $2.481 million to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims for payment under a construction contract funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement with Norwegian Not-For-Profit, Resolving Claims that it Provided Material Support to Iran, Hamas, and Other Prohibited Parties Under U.S. Law

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ann Calvaresi Barr, Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (“USAID”), announced today the filing and settlement of a civil fraud complaint against NORWEGIAN PEOPLE’S AID (“NPA”), a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Norway, that receives funding from USAID.

Reports of Corrupt Practices in Cross‐Border Aid to Syria

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting a complex investigation into cross-border aid programs providing humanitarian relief in Syria. These programs are run from both Turkey and Jordan by multiple nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with funds from USAID and other international donors.
Recent international press reports have raised issues of irregularities involving some of these programs.

Former USAID Contracting Officer Pleads Guilty to Making False Claim to USAID for Separate Maintenance Allowance

WASHINGTON – A former contracting officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (“USAID”), Waymon A. Carroll, 61, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of making a false claim, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287, Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Adrienne R. Rish, USAID Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, announced today.

Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Solicit Kickbacks in Connection with Government Contract in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -    An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to solicit kickbacks in connection with the award of a private security .se rvices subcontract to protect U.S. government personnel and contractors in Afghanistan, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Christine A. Varney of the Antitrust Division and U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Husband and Wife Co-Owners of Subcontracting Company Plead Guilty to Contract Fraud Related to Afghanistan Rebuilding

WASHINGTON – Delmar Dwayne Spier, the chief executive officer and managing director of United States Protection and Investigations, LLC (USPI), today pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to conspiracy, major fraud and wire fraud arising from an alleged scheme to defraud the United States; and his wife, Barbara Edens Spier, the president and owner of USPI, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with U.S.-sponsored rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan, announced Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A.

Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Solicitation of a Kickback in Connection with a Government Contract in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to solicit a kickback in connection with the award of a private security services subcontract to protect U.S. government personnel and contractors in Afghanistan, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney of the Antitrust Division and U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Former USAID Official Pleads Guilty to Submitting Fictitious Travel Voucher Receipt

WASHINGTON - A 46-year-old former Health Development Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”), Michael J. Andreini, pleaded guilty today to one count of Making a False Statement for submitting a fictitious receipt to USAID in support of a travel voucher, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Adrienne R. Rish, USAID Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. The Honorable Deborah A. Robinson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia presided over the plea hearing. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 26, 2010.

Former Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Laws Barring Funds Transfers to Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC - Donald A. Gambatesa, Inspector General for the United States Agency for International Development, announced today that Ali Mohamed Bagegni, 56, formerly of Columbia, Mo., pleaded guilty in Federal court on April 6, 2010, for his role in a conspiracy to illegally transfer funds to Iraq in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Inspectors General Issue First Quarterly Report on the Civilian Assistance Program in Pakistan

WASHINGTON, DC - The Inspectors General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, and the Department of Defense have issued their first Quarterly Progress and Oversight Report on the Civilian Assistance Program in Pakistan. The report covers the period from October 15, 2009, when the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 became law, through March 31, 2010.