A former U.S. State Department analyst has confessed to siphoning off over half a million dollars from American taxpayers. Levita Almuete Ferrer, 64, from Montgomery Village, Maryland, pleaded guilty to embezzling $657,347.50 from the agency.
Breitbart reported that from March 2022 to April 2024, Ferrer, a Senior Budget Analyst in the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, abused her position to steal $657,347.50.
She issued 63 checks, 60 to herself and three to someone she knew personally. This misconduct undermines the integrity of government institutions that hardworking Americans rely on.
Ferrer’s role gave her control over a State Department checking account. She printed and signed each check, depositing the funds into her accounts. Her actions reflect a disturbing disregard for the taxpayers who fund such agencies.
To cover her tracks, Ferrer manipulated the State Department’s QuickBooks system. She entered her name as the payee, printed the checks, and then altered the records to list legitimate vendors. This deception ensured her name rarely appeared in standard reviews.
Only an audit trail could reveal Ferrer’s tampering. Her calculated moves hid the theft from colleagues and supervisors. Such cunning erodes faith in the systems meant to protect public funds.
The scheme went undetected for over two years. Ferrer’s ability to exploit her authority raises questions about oversight in federal agencies. Taxpayers deserve better safeguards against such abuse.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced Ferrer’s guilty plea on Wednesday. Her admission of guilt marks a step toward accountability. Yet, the damage to public trust lingers.
Ferrer, also known as Levita Brezovic, faces sentencing on September 18. As part of her plea deal, she must repay the full $657,347.50. She also faces a forfeiture money judgment of the same amount.
The scale of Ferrer’s theft is staggering but not unique. In Corpus Christi, Texas, a man recently admitted to embezzling over $280,000 from a steelworkers' union. These cases highlight a troubling pattern of greed over duty.
In 2023, a woman was convicted of stealing over $500,000 from an Indiana Catholic parish where she served as business manager.
In December, former President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Rita Crundwell, an Illinois official convicted in 2013 of embezzling millions from Dixon, Illinois. Crundwell’s lavish lifestyle, funded by stolen city money, shocked the nation.
Crundwell’s case, like Ferrer’s, involved exploiting trusted positions. For over 20 years, she funneled public funds into personal accounts. These scandals fuel skepticism about unchecked power in government.
Ferrer’s guilty plea is a reminder of the need for vigilance. Federal agencies must strengthen oversight to prevent such abuses. Working-class Americans, who bear the tax burden, deserve transparency and accountability.
The $657,347.50 Ferrer stole could have supported countless public services. Instead, it lined her accounts. This betrayal stings those who value honest stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
As sentencing approaches, the case serves as a warning. Public servants must honor their duty to the nation. Anything less undermines the traditional values that hold America together.