Ex-State Department Budget Analyst Admits Guilt in Embezzlement Case

Former State Department budget analyst Levita Almuete Ferrer has admitted to embezzling over $657,000 of taxpayer money during the Biden administration through an elaborate check scheme spanning two years.

Key Insights

Ferrer misused her authority over a government checking account to write and deposit 63 unauthorized checks between March 2022 and April 2024.
She concealed her theft by altering QuickBooks entries to replace her name with legitimate vendors in financial records.
As part of her plea deal, Ferrer must pay full restitution of $657,347.50 and could face up to 10 years in federal prison at her September 2025 sentencing.
The embezzlement occurred within the Office of the Chief of Protocol, a division responsible for diplomatic procedures and protocols.

Systematic Theft from State Department Funds

Levita Almuete Ferrer, who worked as a budget analyst in the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, systematically embezzled $657,347.50 over a two-year period. Court documents reveal Ferrer abused her position, which gave her authority over a government checking account intended for legitimate diplomatic expenses. Between March 2022 and April 2024, she orchestrated the theft by writing and depositing 63 unauthorized checks, with 60 made directly to herself and three to someone with whom she maintained a personal relationship.

The theft went undetected for nearly two years as Ferrer implemented measures to conceal her activities. She utilized QuickBooks software to alter financial records, replacing her name in the system with those of legitimate vendors who regularly conducted business with the State Department. This manipulation of accounting records allowed her to continue the scheme while maintaining an appearance of normal operations within the department’s financial systems.

Former State Department Budget Analyst Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More than $650,000 https://t.co/GKQmfn1735 @USAEdMartin @StateDeptDSS @StateOIG @USAO_SC pic.twitter.com/r8yC1eUVsn

— U.S. Attorney DC (@USAO_DC) April 30, 2025

Legal Consequences and Accountability

Ferrer has entered a guilty plea to theft of government property, officially acknowledging her criminal actions. The case has been proceeding through the federal justice system with US District Judge Christopher R Cooper accepting her plea and scheduling sentencing for September 18, 2025. The legal proceedings were initiated following an investigation conducted by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General and Diplomatic Security Service, which uncovered the financial discrepancies and traced them back to Ferrer’s activities.

As part of her plea agreement, Ferrer has committed to making complete restitution of the stolen funds, amounting to $657,347.50. Additionally, she will be subject to a forfeiture money judgment for the same amount. This financial accountability represents an attempt to restore the embezzled taxpayer funds to the government coffers, though it does not mitigate the potential prison sentence she faces, which could extend to 10 years in federal prison.

Implications for Government Oversight

The case highlights significant vulnerabilities in financial oversight within government departments. Ferrer’s position in the Office of the Chief of Protocol, which handles diplomatic functions and procedures for foreign dignitaries and officials, gave her access to sensitive financial systems.

The prosecution team handling the case includes Assistant US Attorney Kondi Kleinman, with support from Paralegal Specialist Sona Chaturvedi and investigatory assistance from Assistant US Attorney Katherine Orville. Their work has resulted in establishing a clear trail of evidence that led to Ferrer’s admission of guilt. The outcome of this case may prompt reviews of financial management systems across government departments to prevent similar breaches of public trust in the future.