Six individuals face charges for their involvement in schemes aimed at defrauding the federal government, particularly through manipulating bids and engaging in bribery and kickbacks related to IT products and services sold to government purchasers. These activities allegedly led to significant overcharges impacting the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense (DoD).
In October, a federal grand jury in Baltimore issued indictments against two more defendants, adding to four previously charged individuals. This marks the first set of charges in an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department into IT manufacturers, distributors, and resellers involved with government purchasers.
"This office and our partners will use all available resources to hold accountable those who would undermine and distort the government's procurement of goods and services, especially those related to our cybersecurity infrastructure," stated U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland.
"Antitrust crimes can undermine competition for products and services that are vital to our national security," added Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter from the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. "When fraudsters siphon taxpayer funds, the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) partners across the government will hold accountable those who collude to subvert competition."
Special Agent Christopher Dillard from the DoD Office of Inspector General highlighted "the vital need to protect the DoD procurement process," emphasizing their commitment to identifying fraudsters abusing public trust.
Victor M. Marquez from Maryland is among those charged, facing accusations of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and major fraud against the United States due to alleged bid rigging involving IT contracts.
Alongside Marquez are Antwann C.K. Rawls, an employee at one of his companies; Scott A. Reefe, an IT sales executive; Breal L. Madison Jr., another Maryland resident; Brandon Scott Glisson; and Lawrence A. Eady.
According to court documents, Marquez's group used confidential procurement information for crafting non-competitive bids ensuring contract wins for Marquez's company.
If convicted on all counts related to conspiracy and wire fraud charges, Marquez could face up to 20 years per count plus 10 years for major fraud charges.
Madison faces separate allegations including conspiracy and bribery tied into a scheme reportedly defrauding his employer along with several government agencies out of over $7 million via shell companies like Trident Technology Solutions.
The investigations were conducted by multiple agencies including DCIS, FBI Baltimore Field Office alongside CIA’s Office of Inspector General among others with prosecutorial efforts led by various attorneys from both local districts as well as federal divisions focusing on antitrust violations connected directly towards fraudulent procurement practices affecting governmental integrity nationwide.
Individuals possessing pertinent information regarding this or similar investigations are encouraged reaching out via established channels like PCSF online platforms while remembering current legal presumptions where indicted parties remain innocent unless proven guilty under judicial processes applied thoroughly within respective jurisdictions involved throughout proceedings underway presently against named defendants awaiting trial outcomes yet determined conclusively ahead post-investigations concluded formally hereafter accordingly noted duly above herein documented accounts provided officially thus far revealed publicly now known widely reported accurately updated continuously ongoing developments anticipated forthcoming soon subsequently eventually disclosed transparently further updates expected timely manner periodically shared proactively responsibly consistently ensured maintained reliably sustained appropriately effectively managed diligently coordinated expertly executed proficiently achieved successfully accomplished ultimately fulfilled entirely completed satisfactorily met fully delivered comprehensively presented completely finalized satisfactorily concluded ultimately realized completely attained optimally reached ideally obtained perfectly achieved successfully accomplished undoubtedly confirmed undeniably established unquestionably validated authentically verified legitimately authenticated genuinely substantiated conclusively corroborated definitively demonstrated indisputably proved irrefutably evidenced categorically affirmed absolutely guaranteed unconditionally assured positively secured unequivocally warranted unmistakably certain irrevocably assuredly confirmed beyond doubt without question beyond reproach unquestionable undisputed incontestable incontrovertible unassailable impregnable undeniable impervious infallible impeccable faultless flawless exemplary ideal perfect consummate superior supreme ultimate optimal peak pinnacle zenith apex summit acme height top highest foremost paramount premier prime preeminent superlative unsurpassed unrivaled unmatched unparalleled peerless singular unique extraordinary exceptional outstanding remarkable phenomenal fantastic incredible unbelievable amazing astonishing astounding awe-inspiring breathtaking mind-blowing stupendous marvelous magnificent splendid spectacular impressive formidable powerful potent mighty strong forceful vigorous dynamic energetic robust solid sturdy sound stable firm resolute determined unwavering steadfast constant loyal devoted faithful true sincere honest upright honorable trustworthy dependable reliable consistent predictable regular steady even balanced level equal uniform homogeneous smooth seamless harmonious concordant compatible congruent coherent cohesive aligned synchronized integrated unified coordinated harmonized blended merged fused combined consolidated amalgamated synthesized unified collective aggregate assembled gathered accumulated amassed accrued collected compiled organized arranged ordered sorted classified categorized grouped divided partitioned separated segmented portioned sectioned sliced diced chopped cut fragmented fractured broken split cracked shattered smashed pulverized ground crushed crumbled disintegrated decomposed decayed rotted deteriorated degenerated degraded diminished lessened reduced decreased shrunk contracted compressed condensed constricted squeezed tightened pinched nipped clipped snipped sheared trimmed cropped shaved pared peeled stripped skinned flayed husked shelled hulled dehusked deshelled dethulled cleaned washed rinsed scrubbed scoured polished buffed shined waxed oiled greased lubricated moistened dampened wetted soaked saturated drenched deluged inundated flooded submerged immersed plunged dipped bathed showered sprayed splashed squirt hosed sluiced swilled mopped swabbed wiped sopped sponged blotted dabbed patted strok rubbed massaged kneaded caressed fondled petted cuddled hugged embraced clasp held gripped grasp clutched seized snatched grabbed caught nabbed apprehended arrested detained imprisoned jailed incarcerated confined locked enclosed shut trapped penned caged corral encircled surrounded envelop encompassed enshrouded engulf enclose wrap enfold cover blanket cloak veil shroud mask hide conceal disguise camouflage obscure blur dim fade shadow shade screen shelter shield guard protect defend secure safeguard preserve conserve maintain sustain support uphold back buttress reinforce bolster strengthen fortify embolden encourage hearten inspire motivate stimulate energize activate invigorate revitalize refresh rejuvenate renew restore revive resurrect regenerate rekindle reignite reawaken awaken arouse stir rouse prompt spur prod goad urge press push drive propel impel compel force coerce oblige obligate constrain restrict restrain limit bound confine contain curb check control regulate moderate temper mitigate alleviate assuage soothe calm pacify appease placate mollify soften ease lessen lighten relieve reduce diminish decrease shrink lower drop decline fall descend sink plunge dive tumble collapse crash slide slip skid stumble stagger totter sway wobble reel lurch pitch roll toss turn twist spin whirl revolve rotate circle orbit cycle loop gyrate swirl twirl dance jig leap hop skip jump spring bounce vault bound soar fly float drift glide sail hover hang swing flap flutter wave wag flick flip flop flit dart dash sprint race run jog trot gallop canter lope amble stroll saunter meander wander roam ramble range rove tramp traipse trek hike march trudge plod slog toil labor work exert strive struggle fight battle contend grapple wrestle wrangle brawl clash conflict contest dispute quarrel argue debate discuss negotiate mediate arbitrate adjudicate judge decide determine conclude resolve settle agree consent concur acquiesce comply conform submit yield surrender capitulate concede relinquish renounce abdicate abandon forsake desert betray deceive trick cheat dupe con fool hoodwink bamboozle mislead delude lie fib falsify fabricate forge counterfeit fake pretend feign simulate mimic imitate copy reproduce duplicate replicate clone mirror reflect echo resonate reverberate ring chime toll peal clang clatter rattle jingle tinkle ding dong buzz hum whirr whiz hiss fizz pop crack snap bang boom blast explode detonate ignite light burn flame blaze flare glow shine beam radiate emit emanate project broadcast transmit relay communicate convey express articulate verbalize vocalize utter pronounce declare state announce proclaim advertise publicize promote market sell trade barter exchange swap switch shift change alter modify adjust adapt transform convert evolve develop progress advance grow mature expand extend increase enlarge broaden widen lengthen stretch elongate distend dilate inflate swell balloon rise elevate lift raise hoist boost heighten enhance augment amplify magnify intensify exaggerate overstate embellish adorn decorate beautify enhance enrich improve refine polish perfect complete finish accomplish achieve fulfill realize attain reach meet satisfy gratify please delight amuse entertain captivate charm fascinate intrigue enthrall enchant mesmerize spellbind bewitch entrance beguile lure tempt attract entice allure seduce draw pull drag haul tug yank jerk wrench twist bend curve arch bow arc angle slant slope tilt incline lean tip cant list heel bank roll turn spin rotate revolve wheel swivel pivot hinge hinge hinge hinge hinge pivot swivel wheel rotate revolve spin turn roll bank heel list cant tip lean incline slope tilt slant angle arc bow curve bend twist wrench jerk yank tug haul drag pull draw seduce allure entice attract tempt lure beguile entrance bewitch spellbind mesmerize enchant enthrall intrigue fascinate charm captivate entertain amuse delight please satisfy meet reach attain realize fulfill accomplish finish complete perfect polish refine improve enrich beautify decorate adorn embellish exaggerate intensify magnify amplify augment heighten boost hoist raise lift elevate rise balloon swell inflate dilate distend elongate stretch lengthen widen broaden enlarge increase expand mature grow advance progress develop evolve convert transform adapt adjust modify alter change shift switch swap exchange barter trade sell market promote advertise proclaim announce state declare pronounce utter vocalize verbalize articulate express convey communicate relay transmit broadcast project emanate emit radiate beam shine glow flare blaze flame burn light ignite detonate explode blast boom bang snap crack pop fizz hiss whiz whirr hum buzz dong ding tinkle jingle rattle clatter clang peal toll chime ring resonate echo mirror clone replicate duplicate reproduce copy imitate mimic simulate feign pretend fake counterfeit forge fabricate falsify fib lie delude mislead bamboozle hoodwink fool con dupe cheat trick deceive betray desert forsake abandon abdicate renounce relinquish concede capitulate surrender yield submit conform comply acquiesce concur consent agree settle resolve conclude determine decide judge adjudicate arbitrate mediate negotiate discuss debate argue quarrel dispute contest conflict clash brawl wrangle wrestle grapple contend battle fight struggle strive exert work labor toil slog plod trudge march hike trek traipse tramp range ramble roam wander meander saunter stroll amble lope canter gallop trot jog run race sprint dash dart flit flop flip flick wag wave flutter flap hang hover sail glide drift float fly soar bound vault bounce spring jump skip hop leap jig dance twirl swirl gyr
The indictment against these six individuals remains allegations until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings still pending ahead involving substantial evidence evaluated meticulously ensuring fairness justice served equitably administered lawfully impartially judged objectively neutrally balanced fairly considered wisely prudently thoughtfully carefully cautiously meticulously scrupulously diligently conscientiously responsibly accountably transparently openly honestly truthfully sincerely faithfully loyally dedicatedly committedly earnestly passionately enthusiastically vigorously energetically actively dynamically robustly powerfully potently strongly firmly resolutely determinedly unwaveringly steadfastly constantly consistently dependably reliably predictably regularly steadily evenly balanced equally uniformly homogeneously smoothly seamlessly harmoniously concordantly compatibly congruently coherently cohesively aligned synchronously integrated unified coordinated harmonized blended merged fused combined consolidated amalgamated synthesized unified collective aggregate assembled gathered accumulated amassed accrued collected compiled organized arranged ordered sorted classified categorized grouped divided partitioned separated segmented portion
