CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Northern Virginia businessman has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Rick Rahim, 60, of Great Falls, Virginia, just pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges for his role in a scheme that saw him pay a $25,000 cash bribe to then-Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins’ reelection campaign.
Rahim, the owner of BV Management LLC and Food Truck Company LLC, is the third Northern Virginia businessman to plead guilty as part of the bribery scheme. In March 2024, James Metcalf of Manassas, Va., pled guilty to one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Fairfax Attorney Frederic Gumbinner pled guilty in November 2023 to an identical charge.
“Today’s guilty plea demonstrates how seriously the Justice Department takes public corruption and the bribery of public officials,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “The badges and guns worn by the men and women who swear an oath to protect and serve the Commonwealth of Virginia is not for sale and those who attempt to buy that honor will be held to account.”
According to court documents, Rahim met a businessman residing in Prince William County, Virginia who was also an Auxiliary Deputy with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office. In late 2019, the businessman asked Rahim if he wanted to “support” Jenkins. At that time, Rahim understood support to mean give money. The businessman told Rahim that Jenkins would probably agree to make Rahim an Auxiliary Deputy in exchange for his support.
Rahim agreed and on July 31, 2019, he, the businessman, and Jenkins met at the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office. During the meeting, they discussed Rahim’s previous felony record and his desire to get his firearms rights restored. Jenkins claimed he could use his official position to ensure that Rahim’s petition to restore his firearms rights would be granted.
Rahim agreed to provide things of value to Jenkins in exchange for Jenkins’ use of his official position. On two occasions, Rahim gave Jenkins manila envelopes filled with cash- once with $15,000 and a second time with $10,000. In addition to the $25,000 in cash, Rahim also made in-kind donations to Jenkins’ campaign, including a campaign billboard and approximately 200 customized knives. Rahim also loaned Jenkins $17,500 towards a new home Jenkins was building.
Related Federal Cases
- Virginia Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme · North Carolina
- Kim Williams Sentenced in FCI Petersburg Bribery Scheme · North Carolina
- Bribery Scheme Sentences Pair to Prison · Virginia
- Retired Navy Capt. Michael Brooks Pleads Guilty to Bribery · Virginia
- Chadwick Lusk Admits to $230K Crib Block Kickback Scheme · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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