Former NASA SES Employee Pleads Guilty To Conflict Of Interest Violation

Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Edward J. Mango, (52, Orlando) today pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with acting in his official capacity while having a financial conflict of interest, a felony.  Mango faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Mango was a Senior Executive Service employee, who worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In this capacity, he worked as the manager of the commercial crew program (CCP), at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Brevard County. 

In December 2012, state authorities arrested C.T., a NASA employee.  Mango used a credit card advance to loan money to C.T. so that C.T. could retain legal counsel and pay for other expenses.  As a result of additional state charges, C.T. was subjected to the NASA employee disciplinary process. Using official government e-mail, telephones, and other property, Mango intervened on C.T.’s behalf and improperly exerted his influence as an SES employee, in an effort to mitigate C.T.’s punishment.  Mango contacted employees in human resources, the KSC center director, KSC human resources director, KSC protective services deputy chief, and other NASA employees in Washington, D.C., urging them to mitigate C.T.’s punishment.  As a result of Mango’s improper actions, C.T. was spared discipline that would otherwise be appropriate for his/her acts.  NASA employees later said that had they been aware of the financial relationship between Mango and C.T., they would not have entertained Mango’s contact on C.T.’s behalf.  When interviewed by NASA Office of the Inspector General agents, Mango admitted to his actions.

This case was investigated by NASA Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro.

• Plea Agreement