Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Michael Montenes, the owner of M.S. Hi-Tech, Incorporated (MSHT), a Hauppauge-based distributor of electronic components, pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with bribery of a federal official in connection with a scheme to pay more than $18,000 to a Department of Energy (DOE) Procurement Officer in exchange for approximately $969,000 in DOE contracts. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione. When sentenced, Montenes faces up to 15 years in prison. As part of his guilty plea, Montenes agreed to forfeit approximately $969,000 and to pay DOE more than $1.8 million in restitution.