James N. Girardi, Bribery Conspiracy, Virginia 2020
Second Government Contracting Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy
A second executive from a federal contracting firm pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy involving his business partner and a senior contracting official with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
James N. Girardi, 39, of Reston, Virginia, the chief operating officer of a government contracting firm, pleaded guilty to one-count of conspiracy to bribe a public official before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia.
According to court documents, Girardi's business partner, Nadeem Ansari, the president and chief executive officer of Girardi's firm, pleaded guilty to similar offenses on May 4, 2020. Jeffrey B. Donahue, the PBGC's former Director of Procurement, also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 11, 2020.
Girardi admitted he was aware of Ansari's arrangement with Donahue, in which Donahue solicited and received cash payments and other things of value, including the promise of a job valued at $1 million, from Ansari.
The PBGC awarded a contract to Ansari and Girardi's company, which resulted in payments to the company totaling approximately $3.29 million. Donahue steered the contract by providing sensitive, non-public information and work product to Ansari, and received at least $48,000 in cash, plus additional gifts.
The PBGC Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grace L. Hill of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
Girardi is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 6, 2021.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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