Department of Energy Employee Indicted for Attempted Bribery of a Public Official

BOSTON – A Security Specialist with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly trying to bribe another DOE employee in order to secure government contracts for a private company.

Edward Doherty, 34, of Washington, D.C. and Weymouth, Mass., was charged with honest services fraud, payment of illegal gratuities and bribery of a public official. Doherty had previously been charged by criminal complaint and was arrested on July 1, 2025. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, Doherty worked for the DOE as Security Specialist until he agreed to participate in the deferred resignation program in February 2025. Just before he started working with the DOE, in November 2024, Doherty allegedly started a company in Massachusetts called MAE Systems, LLC (MAE). It is alleged that, in February 2025, Doherty offered a DOE employee money in exchange for the DOE employee ensuring that MAE received DOE contracts. The DOE employee reported the incident to law enforcement. Between February and June 2025, it is alleged that Doherty was recorded agreeing to pay the DOE employee at least $10,000 in exchange for the DOE employee awarding a DOE contract to MAE. In June 2025, Doherty allegedly made two downpayments on the bribe, totaling $2,500, to the DOE employee.

“Federal contracts are not for sale. Attempting to buy influence in our government is a serious crime, and we will treat it as such,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Bribery corrodes trust in our public institutions and we will not tolerate efforts to manipulate government contracts for personal enrichment.”

“Here’s another public servant, accused of fully embracing the practice of pay to play in an attempt to benefit from an illicit quid pro quo,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Edward Doherty was indicted today for trying to generate business for his firm – not by working harder or smarter, but allegedly through what we believe to be blatant bribery.  Now, he’s facing justice and will answer for his alleged actions.”

“The Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General will continue to ensure that there is no place in federal service for bribery and corrupt schemes,” said Department of Energy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions. “Anyone who suspects such conduct is encouraged to report it immediately. We appreciate the diligent work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners on this joint investigation.”

The charge of honest services wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of payment of illegal gratuities provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of bribery of a public official provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks and DOE Assistant IG Sessions made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.