Former Naval Information Warfare Center employee sentenced to six years for defense-contract bribery
James Soriano, a former engineer and contracting officer representative at the Naval Information Warfare Center, received a six-year prison term for accepting bribes from defense contractors.
A former federal employee at the Naval Information Warfare Center in San Diego was sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to a bribery scheme that lasted several years. James Soriano, 65, acknowledged taking cash, high-value meals, sporting event tickets and job placements for acquaintances from defense contractors in return for steering lucrative contracts. He also filed false tax returns to conceal the illicit income.
U.S. District Judge Todd Robinson imposed the sentence, ordered the surrender of more than $209,527, and required an $18,722 payment to the IRS. The bribery covered contracts worth over $100 million, with Soriano using his role as a contracting officer representative to influence procurement documents and advocate for the paying firms. Officials highlighted that such corruption undermines fair competition and public trust in federal procurement.
Why it matters
The case underscores the risk of corruption in U.S. defense procurement and the government's commitment to hold officials accountable.
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