WASHINGTON — Defense tech firm Govini said it has removed founder Eric Gillespie from its board of directors, following his arrest for allegedly soliciting sexual contact with a minor.
Gillespie was arrested earlier this week, after purportedly being caught in a sting operation in the Pittsburgh area. He is facing four felony counts, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Gillespie doesn’t appear to have made public comments about the allegations, and court documents don’t yet show a plea.
“On November 12, 2025, the Govini Board of Directors terminated Eric Gillespie from the organization, including as a member of the Board, effective immediately,” a company statement reads. “Mr. Gillespie stepped down from the role of CEO almost a decade ago and had no access to classified information.
“Govini is an organization that has been built by over 250 people who share a profound commitment to America’s national security, including veterans, reservists, and people who have dedicated their lives to causes greater than themselves. The actions of one depraved individual should not in any way diminish the hard work of the broader team and their commitment to the security of the United States of America.”
Govini has emerged as a steady member of the new defense tech sector over the last decade, first by focusing on the use of public data and, more recently, with its AI-powered Ark system. The company has offices in both Arlington, Va. and Pittsburgh, Pa.