Bribery Scheme Rocks DC Public Schools
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Dana Garnett, 60, of Hyattsville, Maryland, a former District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) employee, with conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud.
Garnett, who worked for DCPS, allegedly accepted payments from vendors who supplied goods to the school district in exchange for steering business to them.
According to the indictment, Garnett accepted significantly fewer supplies than ordered from vendors, including U.S. Office Solutions owner, Yelake Meseretu, 40, in exchange for bribe payments.
The indictment alleges that Garnett and co-conspirator Patricia Bailey, another former DCPS employee, falsified orders awarded to vendors and received full payment from DCPS.
The scheme, which spanned at least five years, involved Garnett accepting cash payments from vendors in various locations in the D.C. and Maryland area.
Three defendants have accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme, including Patricia Bailey, who pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement in October 2023.
Two vendors, Donald McWhirter and Duane King, have also pleaded guilty to making bribe payments to Garnett and Bailey.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Former DCPS Official Dana Garnett Found Guilty in $1M Bribery Scheme · Washington
- Ex-DCPS Official Garnett Found Guilty in $Million Bribery Scheme · Washington
- Tax Cheat Arman Amirshahi Sentenced for $3M DC Bribery Scheme · Washington
- Bribery Scheme Rocks DC Government · Washington
- Anthony Merritt, Bribery, Washington D.C., 2023 · District of Columbia
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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