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U.S. Navy officer sentenced for role in Afghan visa bribery scheme

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

U.S. Navy officer sentenced for role in Afghan visa bribery scheme

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Lisa O. Monaco Deputy Attorney General | Official Website

A U.S. Navy Reserve Commander, Jeromy Pittmann from Florida, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme related to Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals. According to court documents and trial evidence, Pittmann accepted bribes in exchange for creating fraudulent letters of recommendation for Afghan nationals applying for SIVs with the U.S. Department of State.

Since 2009, the U.S. Congress has allowed the State Department to issue a limited number of SIVs to Afghan nationals who served as translators for U.S. military personnel. Pittmann was found guilty of signing over 20 fraudulent letters claiming personal knowledge and supervision of these applicants while they worked as translators. These letters falsely asserted that their lives were at risk due to Taliban threats and that they posed no national security threat to the United States.

In reality, Pittmann had no knowledge of the applicants and received several thousand dollars in bribes for his actions. To conceal his activities, he used an intermediary to receive payments and fabricated invoices suggesting legitimate work unrelated to his military duties.

On July 12, following a four-day trial in the District of New Hampshire, Pittmann was convicted by a jury on charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery itself, making materially false writings, and conspiring to commit money laundering.

"By protecting Afghan nationals who risk their personal safety to help the U.S. government, the SIV program is essential for the security of U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan," stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "Jeromy Pittmann...used his position...to benefit foreign nationals who paid him bribes."

Inspector General John F. Sopko of SIGAR remarked on how this case highlights betrayal against office duty for personal gain without regard for homeland security or aiding Afghans who assisted the United States.

Special Agent Greg Gross from NCIS emphasized that Pittmann's actions compromised both national security and the integrity of the SIV program designed to protect allies.

Inspector General Robert P. Storch from the Department of Defense noted how Pittmann chose self-enrichment over service by violating federal law through this scheme.

Deputy Assistant Director Greg Batman from DSS affirmed their commitment alongside federal agencies in stopping visa crimes and protecting document integrity.

The investigation involved multiple agencies including SIGAR, NCIS, DCIS, and DSS with prosecution led by Trial Attorneys Matt Kahn and Theodore M. Kneller from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

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