WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have uncovered a major scandal involving a former District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) staffer and a vendor, accused of engaging in a long-running bribery scheme that defrauded the public school system.
Dana Garnett, 60, a former DCPS employee from Hyattsville, Maryland, has been indicted for conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. The indictment also names Yelake Meseretu, 40, owner of U.S. Office Solutions, a DCPS vendor, who faces charges of bribery and wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Garnett accepted payments from multiple vendors over at least five years in exchange for steering business to them. These vendors, including Meseretu, allegedly delivered fewer supplies than ordered but still received full payment from DCPS due to falsified certifications. Garnett and co-conspirator Patricia Bailey, another former DCPS employee, are accused of facilitating these transactions. The payments were reportedly made in cash and occurred across various locations in D.C. and Maryland.
In related cases, three other defendants have already pleaded guilty. Patricia Bailey admitted her role in the scheme in October 2023, and vendors Donald McWhirter and Duane King also confessed to their involvement. King, who also faced charges related to a similar scheme involving DC Fire and Emergency Services, has yet to be sentenced.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Christopher R. Howland are handling the prosecution.
