A former District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) employee has been hit with federal charges for allegedly running a bribery scheme alongside a government contractor. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Dana Garnett, age 60, from Hyattsville, Maryland, is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. Co-defendant Yelake Meseretu, 40, owner of U.S. Office Solutions, which supplied goods to DCPS, is charged with participating in the bribery and wire fraud in return for business directed his way by Garnett.
The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI officials, outlines a five-year-long scheme in which Garnett allegedly agreed to accept payments from vendors in return for preferential treatment. In a detail that has raised eyebrows for its brazenness, it is alleged that Garnett not only steered business towards these vendors but also managed to accept significantly fewer supplies than were ordered as part of the exchange for bribe payments. To avoid detection, the indictment claims that orders were falsified and DCPS was essentially billed for goods never delivered.
A third party involved in the scheme, Patricia Bailey, another former DCPS employee, is said to have coordinated with Garnett and the vendors. The vendors would then pay out cash kickbacks in various locations across the D.C. and Maryland area. Bailey has already pleaded guilty to her role in the operation per filings in October 2023. Additionally, two vendors, Donald McWhirter of General Merchandise and Duane King of American Business Supplies, have admitted guilt to making payments to Garnett and Bailey. King is also implicated in a similar corrupt setup with DC FEMS employees.
Despite these charges painting a damning picture, it’s important to remember that an indictment is not a conviction; as required by law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is a joint effort between the FBI's Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. Prosecution falls into the hands of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Christopher R. Howland leading the charge. Sentencing for the three who have already pleaded guilty is to yet be finalized.
