Former State Department Analyst Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

A former budget analyst for the State Department has admitted to embezzling a significant amount of taxpayer money. On Wednesday, Levita Almuutee Ferrer, 64, pleaded guilty to stealing over $650,000 between March 2022 and April 2024.

Ferrer worked as a senior budget analyst in the Protocol office and had the authority to issue and sign checks. Prosecutors alleged that she personally wrote 60 checks, three of which were made out to people she knew. In total, Ferrer deposited $657,347.50 into her personal bank account.

To cover her tracks, Ferrer manipulated the State Department’s QuickBooks system, entering her name as the designated recipient. This way, anyone checking would not see her name as the payee unless they looked into the audit trail, according to the Department of Justice.

As part of her guilty plea, Ferrer has agreed to repay the embezzled funds. A sentencing hearing is set for September 18, where she could face up to 10 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the Department of State continues to prioritize accountability. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized efforts to reduce government waste and improve efficiency within the department.

In another case, Kirk Perry, a Program Director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme that illegally charged the government around $400,000 for non-existent work, gaining access to significant funds unlawfully.