A Maryland man, Christopher Brackins, pled guilty to bribery conspiracy involving a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) official, wire fraud, and possession of a machine gun with an obliterated serial number. The case was heard in Greenbelt, Maryland, where details emerged of Brackins' involvement in the bribery scheme.
Court documents revealed that Brackins, owner of a general construction company, conspired with a former GSA contracting officer representative, referred to as Public Official A. Brackins, aged 51, engaged in bribing Public Official A between 2018 and 2021 with around $50,000 in money and other benefits, facilitating GSA project awards to his company. He profited an estimated $133,413 from this scheme.
In specific instances, Brackins paid employees inflated bonuses, directing them to transfer money to Public Official A. In one case, an employee received a bonus, $8,000 of which was directed to the official in cash. In another instance, Brackins used an intermediary for a $25,000 payment, processed through an air-conditioning repair business.
Brackins faces a maximum five-year sentence for conspiracy to bribe a federal official, with additional penalties for wire fraud and gun possession, potentially leading to over 30 years in prison. Sentencing by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman is set for September 10.
Sentences are typically less than maximum penalties, as judges consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The investigation was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes and involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Defense, and Homeland Security inspectors general offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo and DOJ Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the investigative agencies and prosecutors involved. Further details about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and community resources can be found on its official website.