BALTIMORE, MD – Jason Edmonds, 45, of North East, Maryland, has confessed to a federal bribery charge stemming from a long-running scheme at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The U.S. Army research biologist pleaded guilty today, admitting he traded his position for cash and perks, betraying the public trust and compromising national security research.
The case, announced jointly by U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron, the FBI, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and the Army Criminal Investigation Division, reveals a pattern of corruption spanning from 2012 to 2019. Edmonds, employed at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center (CB Center) – the nation’s leading center for chemical and biological weapons defense – used his influence to funnel contracts to EISCO, Inc., owned and operated by John Conigliaro.
The scheme wasn’t subtle. In July 2013, Edmonds directed a $300,000 CB Center project directly to EISCO. Just three months later, Conigliaro handed Edmonds $40,000 in cash – earmarked for the purchase of rental properties. But the payments didn’t stop there. Conigliaro then footed the bill for thousands of dollars in renovations to those same properties, effectively laundering the bribe money. A chillingly calculated “Promissory Note” further detailed the arrangement, with Edmonds even crediting himself for past favors and demanding $25,000 more for future contract awards.
Between 2016 and 2017, the flow of benefits continued. Edmonds steered additional government projects to EISCO, and Conigliaro responded with a lavish stream of home improvements: a complete kitchen remodel, a granite countertop, a new sink, and even new siding for Edmonds’s residence. This wasn’t just about money; it was about a calculated exchange of power and privilege. The CB Center, responsible for defending against some of the most dangerous threats, was compromised by greed.
The deception didn’t end with the money. When federal agents began investigating in 2020, Edmonds and Conigliaro hatched a desperate plan to cover their tracks. Edmonds proposed they fabricate a story about repaying the bribes with gold and baseball cards – a blatant attempt to obstruct justice. The brazen lie underscores the depth of their corruption and willingness to deceive investigators.
Edmonds now faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiring to commit bribery. While the actual sentence will be determined by a federal judge considering sentencing guidelines and other factors, this guilty plea marks a significant step toward accountability. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bijon A. Mostoufi and Michael Cunningham are prosecuting the case, with Paralegal Specialist Joanna Huber providing support. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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