State Department Employee Sentenced for Embezzling Over $650K to Support Gambling Habit
Former State Department Employee Sentenced to Over a Year in Prison for Embezzlement
A former employee of the US State Department has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for illegally taking more than $650,000 from government funds to support her gambling addiction. Judge Christopher R. Cooper presided over the case and handed down the sentence after the employee, Levita Almuete Ferrer, was found guilty.
Details of the Embezzlement and Sentence
Despite the defense’s claim that Ferrer’s gambling addiction was the driving factor behind her crimes, she is required not only to serve her prison term but also to repay the total amount of $657,347.50 that she misappropriated. Ferrer’s cooperation with the court was taken into account, which ultimately resulted in a reduced sentence.
Professional Background and Method of Fraud
Ferrer worked as a Senior Budget Analyst within the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol. During her employment, she had access to government funds, which she exploited by diverting money into private accounts. The fraudulent activity took place between March 2022 and April 2024.
Ferrer issued 60 checks to herself and three additional checks to an unidentified individual connected to her. She admitted guilt in court and detailed the process she used to commit the fraud.
She manipulated the State Department’s QuickBooks accounting system by initially recording herself as the payee when creating checks, then altering the records to list legitimate vendors instead, thus concealing her involvement unless a thorough audit was conducted.
Gambling Addiction and Consequences
While Ferrer’s gambling addiction was significant, it is not seen as the sole cause of her criminal actions. Reports indicated that on the day she pleaded guilty, she visited a casino and continued to gamble at high-limit machines a week later. This behavior highlighted the depth of her addiction.
Judge Cooper ordered Ferrer to be detained until her sentencing due to the seriousness of the case. This situation exemplifies how gambling addiction can lead even reliable and previously unblemished professionals to commit severe financial and legal violations to sustain their habits.
