John McCormick Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme at Maritime Academy

John McCormick, a 60-year-old former Planner/Estimator for the Department of Public Works at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, pleaded guilty today to Receiving a Bribe as a Public Official. The plea, entered in federal court in Central Islip before United States Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields, caps a years-long scheme in which McCormick rigged maintenance and repair contracts in exchange for cash payoffs.

Between 2000 and 2014, McCormick abused his position by soliciting and submitting fake bids to steer lucrative government contracts to favored contractors. In return, he collected illicit payments, corrupting the procurement process and undermining the integrity of taxpayer-funded projects. Federal investigators say the fraud directly compromised the quality and oversight of critical infrastructure work at the federal maritime academy.

The scheme unraveled in October 2014 when federal agents surveilled and recorded McCormick accepting a bribe on Academy grounds. He was arrested shortly after the handoff. This guilty plea is part of an ongoing investigation that has already led to charges against multiple Academy employees and contractors involved in the widespread corruption ring.

McCormick now faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and has agreed to forfeit $60,000 in proceeds obtained through the bribery scheme. Sentencing is set for May 19, 2017, before United States District Court Judge Arthur D. Spatt, who will also determine the amount of restitution owed to the government.

“The receipt of bribes on government contracts threatens the quality of the work being performed and the integrity of the contracting process. Such brazen conduct will never be tolerated and the defendant will now be held accountable for his crimes,” said United States Attorney Robert L. Capers.

Douglas Shoemaker, Regional Special Agent in Charge of DOT-OIG, emphasized the broader impact: “Those entrusted with the stewardship of taxpayer dollars will be held responsible. Our agents will continue to expose and shut down fraud schemes that erode public trust.” IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, Kathy A. Enstrom, added that government employees are sworn to serve the public, not enrich themselves. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Burton T. Ryan, Jr. E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-CR-490.