Lead: Eric T. Gillespie, 57, the founder and executive chairman of Govini (Poplicus Inc.), was arrested in November 2025 and charged with four felonies, including multiple counts of unlawful contact with a minor. Pennsylvania authorities allege Gillespie used an online chat platform to try to arrange sexual contact with a pre‑teen in Lebanon County. At arraignment a magisterial district judge denied bail, citing flight risk and public‑safety concerns. Govini said it placed Gillespie on administrative leave and will cooperate with investigators.
Key Takeaways
- Eric T. Gillespie, 57, founder and executive chairman of Govini, faces four felony charges, including multiple counts of unlawful contact with a minor.
- Pennsylvania Attorney General agents say an undercover officer who posed as an adult engaged Gillespie on an online chat platform and alleges he attempted to arrange a meeting with a pre‑teen in Lebanon County.
- At his arraignment, a magisterial district judge denied bail on Nov. 10, 2025, citing flight risk and concerns for public safety.
- Govini placed Gillespie on administrative leave immediately after learning of the charges and said it will cooperate with law enforcement.
- Poplicus Inc. (Govini) reported 26 government contracts in fiscal 2025 worth about $52 million on USASpending.gov; most awards were from the Department of Defense.
- Since 2021 Govini has won 107 awards totalling more than $255 million; the company reported surpassing $100 million in ARR and closing a $150 million investment in October 2025.
- If convicted under Pennsylvania law, Gillespie faces a statutory minimum of seven years in prison, fines up to $15,000, and at least 10 years of sex‑offender registration after release.
Background
Govini, marketed under Poplicus Inc., was launched by Eric Gillespie in 2013 after he founded Recovery.org during the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act era. The company builds acquisition data and analytics tools used by federal agencies, positioning itself as a data provider for defense and civilian procurement offices. Over recent years Govini expanded its footprint in defense contracting: USASpending.gov shows 26 awards worth roughly $52 million in fiscal 2025 and a larger award run since 2021 totaling more than $255 million.
Govini’s primary Department of Defense customers include the Army, the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Navy, with smaller engagements recorded under Commerce and Energy. In October 2025 the company announced it had exceeded $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and secured a $150 million investment from Bain Capital, signaling rapid commercial growth alongside deeper ties to federal procurement. The combination of private capital and defense contracts increased Govini’s profile inside government‑tech circles and made executive conduct a reputational as well as operational risk for customers and investors.
Main Event
Pennsylvania Attorney General investigators allege that Gillespie used an online chat service commonly used by offenders to try to meet children. According to the office, an agent who posed as an adult engaged Gillespie in conversation; the AG’s account says Gillespie attempted to arrange a meeting with a pre‑teen in Lebanon County. The arrest and charging followed that undercover engagement.
Gillespie was arraigned on Nov. 10, 2025. At that hearing a magisterial district judge denied bail, citing concerns that Gillespie could flee and that his release could pose a public‑safety risk. The formal charging documents list four felony counts tied to unlawful contact with a minor; prosecutors say the alleged conduct spanned online messages and attempted in‑person arrangements.
Govini moved quickly after being notified of the charges, placing Gillespie on administrative leave and characterizing the allegations as severe. Company officials told a local broadcaster they intend to cooperate with law‑enforcement inquiries. As of publication, Govini had not provided additional operational details and emails seeking further comment were not returned.
Analysis & Implications
The arrest creates an immediate governance and contracting risk for Govini. Federal agencies and prime contractors that rely on Govini’s acquisition analytics may review contractual relationships, particularly where personnel conduct or organizational reputation could affect security clearances, data access or the perceived reliability of analytic products. DoD customers often include suspension‑and‑debarment clauses tied to criminal conduct; those provisions could trigger audits or administrative actions if investigators find organizational negligence.
For investors and partners, the timing is sensitive. Govini had just announced a large private investment and surpassed $100 million in ARR, milestones that increase scrutiny on executive behavior and compliance frameworks. Bain Capital’s $150 million infusion and the company’s concentration of DoD revenues mean any prolonged disruption could affect revenue recognition, pipeline work and valuations tied to government purchase orders.
There are also programmatic risks: Govini provides data used in acquisition planning and vendor analytics. If access to datasets or tooling is restricted during criminal proceedings, customers could face temporary gaps in procurement analytics. Conversely, strict internal controls and transparent cooperation with investigators could limit long‑term damage if Govini demonstrates governance reforms and independent oversight.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fiscal 2025 government contracts | 26 contracts, ~$52 million (USASpending.gov) |
| Awards since 2021 | 107 awards, >$255 million |
| Annual recurring revenue (Oct. 2025) | Surpassed $100 million (company disclosure) |
| Recent private investment | $150 million from Bain Capital (Oct. 2025) |
These figures show Govini had grown swiftly in both revenue and federal engagements ahead of the arrest. The company’s DoD concentration — with primary customers in the Army, DISA and the Navy — amplifies the operational impact if agencies choose to suspend or reassign work while legal processes proceed.
Reactions & Quotes
Govini said it placed Mr. Gillespie on administrative leave and would ‘‘cooperate with law enforcement’’ while acknowledging the alleged conduct is serious.
Govini (company statement to local media)
Pennsylvania Attorney General investigators described an undercover operation in which an agent posed as an adult on an online chat platform and alleges Gillespie sought to arrange a meeting with a pre‑teen in Lebanon County.
Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office (official statement)
Unconfirmed
- Whether any Govini staff or corporate systems were involved in or aware of the alleged conduct beyond Gillespie is not publicly confirmed.
- It is not yet confirmed whether federal contracting officers will suspend, terminate or reduce Govini’s existing contracts pending investigation.
- Details about the alleged communications, such as timestamps or message content, have not been released publicly and remain under investigation.
Bottom Line
The arrest of Govini’s founder and executive chairman presents intertwined legal, reputational and operational challenges for a company deeply embedded in federal acquisition analytics. Immediate consequences include leadership disruption, investor scrutiny and potential contract reviews by DoD and other agencies. How Govini manages cooperation with investigators, corporate governance reforms and communications with federal customers will shape short‑term operational continuity and longer‑term recovery.
For readers tracking federal contracting risk, the key watch points are: any agency notices or suspension actions on USASpending‑listed awards; statements from investors or Bain Capital about governance expectations; and criminal‑case developments including indictment, plea decisions or trial dates. These milestones will determine whether the event becomes a temporary leadership crisis or a material business disruption.
Sources
- Federal News Network — media report summarizing charges and company response (news).
- USASpending.gov — U.S. government spending database used to verify contract counts and values (government data).
- Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office — official law‑enforcement source for the investigation and charging information (official announcement).