Atlantic Beach man pleads guilty to taking bribes at Merchant Marine Academy

John McCormick faces up to 15 years in prison

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John McCormick, of Atlantic Beach, a former planner and estimator for the Department of Public Works of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, pleaded guilty on Friday to receiving bribes as part of a scheme to give contracts to specific companies.

McCormick, 60, pleaded guilty to charges of receiving a bribe as a public official. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 15. McCormick surrendered the $60,000 he received as part of the scheme, and may have to make further restitution.

“The receipt of bribes on government contracts threatens the quality of the work being performed and the integrity of the contracting process,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Capers in a release. “Such brazen conduct will never be tolerated, and the defendant will now be held accountable for his crimes.” Capers’ office prosecuted McCormick.

While McCormick was working at the Merchant Marine Academy between 2000 and 2014, he solicited and submitted fake bids on contracts he oversaw to steer the awarding of maintenance and repair contracts to favored contractors who paid him bribes, as documented by previous court filings.

An unnamed construction company; a painting company, Colorworks Inc.; and another firm, Dinos Katsihitis Painting Corp., were identified in the complaint.

In October 2014, federal agents observed and recorded McCormick accepting a bribe from a contractor on the grounds of the academy. He was arrested shortly after.

This plea is the result of a continuing investigation in which the government has previously filed charges against other academy employees and a number of contractors.