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Jason Edmonds, of North East, worked at the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center (CB Center), at the time of the alleged crimes, Maryland's US Attorney Erek L. Barron said.
The CCDC CB Center was the nation’s principal research and development center for non-medical chemical and biological weapons defense, located at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The center developed technology in the areas of detection, protection, and decontamination.
While working at the center, Edmonds accepted bribes from John Conigliario, 60, of Kingsville, Batton said citing the seven-count indictment.
From 2012 to 2019, Edmonds accepted cash and other financial benefits from Conigliaro, the owner, and CEO of EISCO, Inc. in exchange for favorable action on CB Center contracts, the indictment says.
For example, the Indictment alleges that in July 2013, Edmonds directed a $300,000 CB Center project to EISCO. The Indictment alleges that, three months later, Conigliaro gave Edmonds $40,000 in cash so that Edmonds could purchase two rental real estate properties. Once Edmonds purchased the rental properties, Conigliaro paid for thousands of dollars of renovations to the rental properties, the indictment says.
The Indictment alleges that Edmonds executed a “Promissory Note,” in which Edmonds wrote that he repaid Conigliaro a portion of the funds that Conigliaro had given him with CB Center projects.
Additionally, the Indictment alleges that from 2016 to 2018, Edmonds directed four CB Center projects to EISCO. Over that same time period, Conigliaro allegedly paid for more than $30,000 in renovations to Edmonds’ personal residence.
Conigliaro is scheduled to appear for an initial appearance and arraignment on Feb. 24, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman. He was charged on Feb. 1.
If convicted, Edmonds and Conigliaro face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy, and Edmonds faces fifteen years in federal prison for bribery. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and the Army Criminal Investigation Division for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew P. Phelps and Harry Gruber, who are prosecuting the federal case.
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