U.S. to Collect over $1.3 Million after Judgment Ordered in Bribery Case Involving Millions in DOW Contracts in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska / Friday, September 18, 2026 – The United States has secured more than $1.3 million in civil damages and penalties following a judgment in a False Claims Act case involving a bribery scheme that targeted U.S. Department of War construction contracts at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).
According to court documents, Brian Lowell Nash II, a former Air Force Contracting Officer, agreed to accept more than $400,000 in bribe payments in 2019 from a government contractor, Ryan Dalbec, who, along with his wife, Raihana Nadem, owned a construction company called Best Choice Construction, LLC. In return, Nash provided Dalbec and Nadem with confidential bidding information on over $8,250,000 in U.S. Department of War contracts at Eielson AFB and JBER, helping the company secure multiple awards, including work tied to the F‑35 program at Eielson AFB and other projects at JBER.
All three individuals were previously convicted in federal court—Nash was sentenced to serve 30 months imprisonment, Dalbec was sentenced to serve 42 months imprisonment.
Now, in a separate civil action, the United States has been awarded over $1.3 million in civil damages and penalties under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act (FCA) creates a civil cause of action for the recovery of damages and penalties from those who submit false or fraudulent claims to the United States. The U.S. affirmatively sought and was granted treble damages, as well as penalties against Nash, Dalbec, Nadem, and Best Choice Construction.
“We will hold accountable any defense contractor who attempts to undermine fair competition and defraud the American taxpayer through bribery and corrupt practices,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman for the District of Alaska. “To protect the integrity of our procurement system, we will marshal every enforcement tool available — from criminal prosecution to civil remedies under the False Claims Act — to ensure that corruption is exposed, taxpayers are safeguarded, and justice is fully served.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense’s procurement process. This settlement sends a clear message: those who engage in bribery and kickback schemes will be held fully accountable for their actions,” said John Helsing, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Efforts to corrupt or manipulate federal contracting—no matter how carefully concealed—undermine the public trust placed in our institutions and the missions they support. Today’s outcome reflects the determination of DCIS and our partners at the Department of Justice to uncover wrongdoing, enforce consequences, and safeguard taxpayer resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) conducted the investigation leading to the criminal indictments. The civil case was investigated by Defense Criminal Investigative Services and handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Civil Chief, Jackie Traini.
Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about fraud against the government may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. Whistleblower awards can range from 15 to 30 percent of the money collected. Those with information regarding fraud committed on government programs are encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards.
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Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Alaska
