USAID Bribery Scandal: $550M Scam Rocks Agency Democrats Defended

A stunning bribery scandal has rocked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency Democrats fiercely defended against cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Four individuals, including a federal contracting officer and three businessmen, have pleaded guilty in a scheme involving cash, NBA tickets, and a lavish country club wedding, totaling a jaw-dropping $550 million scam.

Roderick Watson, 57, a USAID contracting officer, admitted to accepting bribes starting in 2013. Contractors Walter Barnes and Darryl Britt funneled payoffs through subcontractor Paul Young, masking their illicit deals with fake payrolls, shell companies, and false invoices. The bribes, valued at over $1 million, included everything from laptops to mortgage downpayments and jobs for Watson’s relatives.

Vistant, owned by Barnes, was briefly awarded an $800 million contract in 2023 to address migration issues from Central America, a priority under then-Vice President Kamala Harris. But the contract was canceled after USAID flagged Vistant for questionable integrity, only for the company to sue and win it back, along with a $10,000 payment in August 2024.

The scandal underscores the waste and fraud DOGE aimed to eliminate, slashing USAID’s programs by 83% and transferring critical functions to the State Department. Critics, including Democrats and U2’s Bono, decried the cuts, claiming they’d devastate global aid recipients. Yet, revelations of USAID funds allegedly supporting terror-linked groups, like al-Qaeda’s Anwar al-Awlaki, have fueled calls for accountability.

Corruption won’t be tolerated, declared Acting Assistant Inspector General Sean Bottary, emphasizing USAID’s commitment to rooting out fraud. This scandal raises tough questions about oversight and trust in government programs, proving that even well-intentioned agencies can fall prey to greed.