A U.S. Navy Reserve Commander named Jeromy Pittmann was sentenced to 30 months in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for fraudulently verifying letters of recommendation for Afghan nationals applying for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Pittmann was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, making false statements, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The SIV program is designed to protect Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. military personnel, but Pittmann’s actions compromised the integrity of the program and posed security risks. The investigation was a joint effort by multiple agencies including the Department of Justice, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service.
Briefing Doc: Bribery Scheme in Special Immigrant Visa Program
Subject: U.S. Navy Reserve Officer Sentenced for Bribery Scheme in SIV Program
Date: October 28, 2024
Source: U.S. Department of Justice Press Release
Summary:
This press release details the conviction and sentencing of Jeromy Pittman, a U.S. Navy Reserve Commander, for his involvement in a multi-year bribery scheme related to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghan nationals.
Key Themes:
Abuse of Power: Pittman exploited his position to fraudulently recommend Afghan nationals for SIVs in exchange for bribes, jeopardizing the program's integrity and national security.
National Security Threat: Pittman's actions posed a potential risk to national security by facilitating the entry of individuals who had not been properly vetted.
Justice and Accountability: The Department of Justice emphasizes its commitment to holding accountable those who exploit government programs for personal gain and compromise national security.
Important Facts:
Pittman drafted and submitted fraudulent recommendation letters for over 20 Afghan nationals seeking SIVs.
He falsely claimed to know the applicants, their service as translators, and the threats they faced, while accepting thousands of dollars in bribes.
The SIV program provides a pathway to the U.S. for Afghan nationals who supported U.S. military personnel, facing threats due to their association with the U.S.
Pittman received bribe money through intermediaries and created false invoices to conceal the illegal activity.
Multiple government agencies, including SIGAR, NCIS, DCIS, and DSS, collaborated in the investigation and prosecution.
Key Quotes:
Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General: "Jeromy Pittman, however, used his position of authority over the program to benefit foreign nationals who paid him bribes, falsely asserting that they had served the United States. Today’s sentence demonstrates that the Justice Department has zero tolerance for those who place their self-interest ahead of our national security.”
John F. Sopko, Inspector General of SIGAR: "This case shows how someone betrayed his sacred oath of office to commit crimes for personal gain, with no regard for how his actions could threaten U.S. homeland security and harm Afghans, who risked their lives to help the United States."
Greg Gross, Special Agent in Charge of NCIS: "Pittmann’s participation in this bribery scheme not only jeopardized the integrity of the SIV program, which protects our allies, but also introduced significant security risks to our nation.”
Implications:
The case highlights vulnerabilities within the SIV program that could be exploited for fraudulent activities.
It emphasizes the need for robust oversight and stricter vetting procedures to ensure the program's integrity and safeguard national security.
The successful prosecution serves as a deterrent against future attempts to manipulate government programs for personal gain.
Next Steps:
Continue to monitor for similar cases and implement necessary reforms to prevent future exploitation of the SIV program.
Conduct a comprehensive review of the SIV program's vetting process and identify areas for improvement.
Strengthen interagency collaboration to enhance detection and investigation of fraudulent activities within government programs.
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