A former senior budget analyst at the U.S. State Department has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $650,000 in government funds over a two-year period, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Levita Almuete Ferrer, 64, of Maryland, admitted to misusing her signature authority over a State Department checking account from March 2022 through April 2024. Serving in the department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, Ferrer wrote and deposited 63 checks totaling $657,347.50, the majority of which were made payable to herself and a personal associate.
Prosecutors revealed that Ferrer manipulated accounting records in QuickBooks by initially entering her name as the payee and then altering the record after printing the checks to reflect legitimate vendors—effectively concealing the fraud during audits or reviews.
Ferrer pleaded guilty to theft of government property and is scheduled for sentencing on September 18, 2025. She faces up to 10 years in prison, must repay the full amount in restitution, and is subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the same amount.
Diplomatic Security Agent Involved in Hotel Incident in Brussels
In a separate case, a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent assigned to a high-level security detail was reportedly involved in an incident at a hotel in Brussels, Belgium, on March 31, 2025.
Sources indicate that the agent became uncooperative and aggressive after hotel staff declined to reopen the bar after hours. The situation escalated when local police were called, and the agent reportedly resisted their efforts, leading to his temporary detention.
The U.S. Embassy in Brussels was later involved in the resolution of the situation. The agent was released the same day, and no further details have been disclosed about disciplinary action or formal charges.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that an internal review is underway but declined to comment on specifics, citing personnel privacy policies.
According to internal sources, heavy workloads and staffing strain have contributed to challenges among Diplomatic Security teams, especially those assigned to senior officials. Shift supervisors are often responsible for long hours, administrative duties, and managing teams, which some say may contribute to stress-related incidents.
The Diplomatic Security Service is responsible for protecting U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities worldwide, as well as investigating crimes like visa and passport fraud.
