Business owner admits to scheme to bribe Pharr Customs & Border Patrol official

Press Release

HOUSTON - A 49-year-old man has pleaded guilty for his role in a bribery scheme to give kickbacks to a U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) official in exchange for the official's efforts to influence the award of lucrative federal contracts, announced U.S. Attorney Hamdani.

Court documents charge Christopher Cassity aka Mac, Glenwood, Maryland, with one count of honest services wire fraud.

As part of the plea agreement, Cassity admitted that between July 29, 2019, and Dec. 29, 2022, he and an information system security officer (ISSO) residing in Pharr carried out a bribery scheme.

Cassity provided kickbacks to the ISSO in exchange for the officer's influence in awarding CBP contracts to businesses that would subcontract with Cassity's company, IVV Solutions.

The ISSO specifically directed and pressured CBP contracting officials to select contractors from a preferred list, who bid on contracts to upgrade CBP's information security system in various CBP facilities.

The ISSO knew the contractors on his preferred list would subcontract with IVV Solutions to provide "independent verification and validation services."

Court documents reveal that Cassity's business received approximately $814,570 in payments for CBP contracts during the bribery scheme. In exchange, Cassity made approximately 58 kickback payments to the ISSO, amounting to approximately $443,125.

To conceal the scheme, Cassity falsely claimed that the ISSO conduits received payments for unnecessary and unperformed services, including translation services.

Cassity is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 10, 2025. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Assistant Commissioner Matthew Klein of CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) made the announcement as well.

CBP OPR is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel and Trial Attorney Demetrius D. Sumner of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

Updated November 7, 2024