FBI raids tech distributor Carahsoft offices, seen taking away computers
Federal agents on Tuesday searched the Washington-area offices of Carahsoft Technology Corp., a major distributor of technology products to government agencies, people familiar with the matter said.
FBI and Defense Criminal Investigative Service agents were seen at Carahsoft’s headquarters in Reston, Virginia, collecting documents and employee computers, said John Weiler, chief executive of the IT-Acquisition Advisory Council. Because of his work in the government technology contracting space, Weiler said he was informed of the search by multiple people with direct knowledge of it.
A Carahsoft employee at the Virginia office, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, confirmed that staff had been notified of the FBI raid internally.
Reached by phone, a lawyer for Carahsoft, Richard Conway, declined to comment, saying, “I don’t discuss such matters in the press.” He and other company representatives didn’t respond to emailed questions.
It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the search.
A FBI spokesperson said the agency “conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity” on the street where Carahsoft has its offices but declined to elaborate.
Carahsoft is a privately-held company that since its founding in 2004 has grown into a dominant player in the government technology procurement market. Last year, it ranked 45th on Forbes’ ranking of largest private companies in the US, with $11 billion in estimated revenue and more than 2,400 employees.
The FBI action was previously reported by Nextgov/FCW.
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