In yet one more disgraceful case of federal corruption, a former United States Division of Agriculture (USDA) official has pleaded responsible to a years-long kickback scheme that bilked taxpayers out of almost $400,000.
Kirk Perry, 60, of Lorain, Ohio, who as soon as held a place of belief as a USDA Program Director, admitted in court docket to conspiring along with his nephew, Jamarea Grant, 31, to defraud the federal authorities by submitting fraudulent invoices for work that was by no means accomplished.
The rip-off ran unchecked from 2015 via 2022, at the same time as Perry loved the advantages of his federal publish, quietly funneling cash into his personal pockets and betraying the general public belief.
Based on Interim U.S. Legal professional for the District of Columbia Ed Martin and Particular Agent in Cost Jeldrys Lowry of the USDA’s Workplace of Inspector Common, Perry orchestrated a scheme wherein his nephew was positioned in a no-show job via USDA contractors, reporting on to Perry himself. Grant obtained almost $400,000 for work he by no means carried out — with Perry signing off on all of it.
Much more brazen, Perry had direct entry to his nephew’s checking account and siphoned off about $125,000 of the stolen funds into his personal pocket.
Perry pleaded responsible earlier than U.S. District Courtroom Decide Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to conspiracy to commit cash, property, and sincere providers wire fraud. Grant had already pleaded responsible to the identical cost final November. Perry now awaits sentencing on December 4, 2025, whereas Grant’s sentence is pending.
The Division of Justice confirmed that each males withstand 20 years in federal jail for his or her crimes.
Former USDA Program Director Pleads Responsible in $400,000 Kickback Scheme https://t.co/Pwqf7AxYMr@USAEdMartin @OIGUSDA pic.twitter.com/64YoBfRJGR
— U.S. Legal professional DC (@USAO_DC) April 29, 2025
