Former U.S. Army research biologist sentenced to 4 years for bribery conspiracy in Maryland
BALTIMORE -- A former U.S. Army research biologist working in Harford County was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $111,794 Monday for a bribery conspiracy, according to the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to his guilty plea, Jason Edmonds, 45, of North East, Maryland was working at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological (CB) Center at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The center is used for non-medical chemical and biological weapons defense, court officials said.
Between 2012 and 2019, Edmonds accepted cash and other benefits from John Conigliaro, the owner and CEO of EISCO, Inc., in exchange for action on CB Center contracts, according to court officials.
In July 2013, Edmonds directed a $300,000 CB Center project to EISCO, court officials said. Three months later, Conigliaro gave Edmonds $40,000 in cash which Edmonds used to buy two rental real estate properties.
Once Edmonds bought the rental properties, Conigliaro paid thousands of dollars for renovations, according to officials.
Court officials said Edmonds and Conigliaro had a "promissory note" in which Edmonds credited himself $18,100 against the $40,000 for past projects that he gave to EISCO.
In the note, Edmonds also wrote that Conigliaro would give him an additional $25,000 in exchange for future projects that would be directed to EISCO, court officials said.
Between December 2016 and August 2017, Edmonds directed government projects to EISCO in exchange for benefits from Conigliaro, including a kitchen remodel, a granite countertop, a kitchen sink and new siding for his home, according to court officials.
Court officials said federal agents attempted to interview Edmonds and Conigliaro in June 2020. Afterward, both men met three times to talk about the investigation.
During the meetings, Edmonds suggested that he and Conigliaro tell the federal investigators that Edmonds repaid Conigliaro with gold and baseball cards, court officials said.
During his sentencing hearing on Monday, Nov. 4, the court learned about the meetings and Edmonds' suggestion to lie about repayment. The behavior was considered obstruction of justice, and his charges were enhanced, according to court officials.
Edmonds was sentenced to 51 months in prison and three years of probation for a bribery conspiracy. He was also ordered to pay $111,794, totaling the value of the bribes he received, court officials said.
"Edmonds' actions as a public official harmed government integrity. Bribery spawns distrust of government and the work we do on behalf of the taxpayers," said U.S. Attorney Barron.
