GSA Bribery Plea Highlights Persistent Risks in Public Procurement

A former General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer’s representative has pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy, reinforcing longstanding concerns around corruption risks in public procurement and government contracting. The case underscores how abuse of authority within procurement functions continues to present significant integrity and financial crime risks, despite established controls and oversight frameworks.

On 29 January 2026, Lennie Lamont Miller, aged 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept bribes in exchange for directing GSA subcontracting work to favoured construction companies. The GSA is the US federal agency responsible for managing government buildings and property, and its contracting processes are critical to safeguarding public funds.

According to court filings, between 2018 and 2021 Miller exploited his role in the contracting process to steer work to companies owned by co-conspirators Christopher Brackins and James Tillman. In return, Miller received more than $100,000 in cash and other items of value, including a sports car. The conduct illustrates a classic bribery and kickback scheme, enabled by insider access and weak challenge over subcontracting decisions.

Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to bribe a federal official. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge in line with the US Sentencing Guidelines. No sentencing date has yet been confirmed.

The case also highlights the broader criminal exposure faced by those seeking to corrupt public officials. Tillman previously pleaded guilty in February 2025 and is due to be sentenced on 2 April 2026. Brackins pleaded guilty in April 2025 to multiple offences, including bribery conspiracy, wire fraud and unlawful possession of a machine gun, with sentencing scheduled for 6 August 2026.

From a compliance and risk perspective, the case demonstrates how procurement functions remain a high-risk area for bribery and corruption, particularly where individuals have discretion over vendor selection and subcontracting decisions. It also reinforces the importance of robust conflict of interest controls, independent oversight, and effective whistleblowing mechanisms within public sector bodies and organisations contracting with them.

The investigation was led by the FBI Baltimore Field Office alongside multiple Offices of Inspector General, reflecting the continued prioritisation of public corruption enforcement by US authorities. For organisations operating in or alongside government supply chains, the case serves as a reminder that bribery risks are not theoretical and that enforcement action often follows years after misconduct occurs, with severe personal and corporate consequences.

Read the press release here.