Former DOE employee sentenced for bribery attempt linked to government contracts

The U.S. Department of Justice said Edward Doherty, a former Department of Energy security specialist, offered at least $10,000 to a DOE employee in exchange for awarding contracts to his company, MAE Systems, LLC. The DOE employee reported the approach, and Doherty made two payments totaling $2,500, according to the DOJ.

Doherty pleaded guilty in March 2026 to honest services fraud, payment of illegal gratuities and bribery of a public official. He was sentenced to three years’ probation, including six months of home confinement, and fined $10,000; the government had sought 24 months’ imprisonment.