Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
Russell Thurston, a former executive vice president at Cambridge International Systems, Inc., has admitted guilt in a federal court for his involvement in a bribery scheme. The defense contractor, based in Arlington, Virginia, was implicated alongside James Soriano, a former employee of the Naval Information Warfare Center.
Thurston's plea agreement revealed that he and other Cambridge employees provided various benefits to Soriano. These included expensive meals in San Diego, a ticket to the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Washington D.C., and employment for Soriano’s friend Liberty Gutierrez at Cambridge. Gutierrez admitted to performing minimal work while giving $2,000 monthly from her salary to Soriano.
In exchange for these favors, Soriano used his position as a contracting officer’s representative to influence contract awards favoring Cambridge. This resulted in over $32 million being obligated on one task order and more than $100 million on another. Additionally, Soriano allowed Cambridge employees to draft procurement documents during competitive bidding processes.
Thurston received bonuses totaling between $150,000 and $250,000 from the profits generated by this conspiracy. He is set for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson on April 11, 2025.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden emphasized the importance of integrity within government contracts: “This guilty plea shows a commitment to that principle by holding accountable a defendant who repeatedly bribed a government employee.”
Bryan D. Denny from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General remarked on Thurston's established guilt: “DCIS remains committed...to investigate and deter public corruption within the Department of Defense.”
Tyler Hatcher from IRS Criminal Investigation stated: “Our men and women in uniform volunteer...and they deserve better than to be put at unnecessary risk.”
Weston King from SBA OIG commented: “Using a position of public trust as a means to inequitably grant access...will not be tolerated.”
Cambridge pleaded guilty separately and was ordered to forfeit over $1.6 million gained through bribery while paying an additional fine of $2.25 million.
Soriano also faced charges related to conspiracy and fraud; he will appear before Judge Robinson on May 9, 2025.
The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Swan, Katherine E.A. McGrath, and Carling E. Donovan with investigations conducted by multiple agencies including Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
For reports concerning fraud or abuse related to Department of Defense operations contact DoD Hotline at 800-424-9098.
