Ex-federal worker pleads guilty to stealing $843K from the government

A former federal worker pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $840,000 from the government.

Brian Thompson, 53, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Between May 2013 and March 2014, Thompson stole government money when he worked as a loan guarantee specialist for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

{mosads}Thompson sold real estate properties on behalf of HUD, after borrowers defaulted on mortgages from the department. For several properties, the Justice Department says he made “materially false representations” to third parties and diverted $843,000 to his own bank accounts. 

“Brian Thompson exploited his government job to rob the American taxpayer of more than $800,000,” U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr. said in a statement. “This crooked HUD employee diverted the proceeds of real estate sales from the U.S. Treasury to his own pockets through lies and trickery. He now faces serious prison time as a result of criminal breach of the public trust.”  

The charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. The Justice Department said the involved parties have agreed Thompson likely faces between about 2.5 to 3.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $75,000.

Thompson will also have to pay $843,000 in restitution back to the federal government, according to the plea agreement.

His sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 7.