A former Security Specialist with the U.S. Department of Energy, Edward Doherty, pleaded guilty on Mar. 11 in federal court in Boston to charges related to bribery and honest services fraud involving government contracts.
The case highlights concerns about corruption within public agencies and the importance of reporting misconduct by government employees. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Doherty attempted to bribe another Department of Energy employee in order to secure contracts for his private company.
Doherty, who is 35 years old and has lived in Washington, D.C., and Weymouth, Massachusetts, admitted guilt to honest services fraud, payment of illegal gratuities, and bribery of a public official. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns.
Court documents state that Doherty started MAE Systems LLC shortly before leaving his DOE position through a deferred resignation program in February 2025. That same month he offered money to a DOE employee if they would help MAE receive agency contracts; the offer was reported by the targeted employee to law enforcement authorities. Between February and June 2025 Doherty was recorded offering at least $10,000 as part of this scheme and made two downpayments totaling $2,500.
If convicted on all counts at sentencing, Doherty faces up to twenty years for honest services wire fraud plus additional penalties for illegal gratuities and bribery charges—each carrying significant prison time and fines according to federal statutes governing criminal cases.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the plea along with Ted E. Docks from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division and Department of Energy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions.