Former Congressional Employee Accused of Stealing 240 Phones
📅 January 13, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have charged a former congressional employee with stealing approximately 240 government-issued mobile phones from offices on Capitol Hill, alleging a months-long scheme that exploited internal access and weaknesses in inventory controls within the legislative branch.
According to charging documents unsealed this week, the former staffer, whose name has been released by the Justice Department but who is no longer employed by Congress, is accused of systematically removing phones assigned to House offices and congressional support units. Investigators allege the devices were later resold or otherwise diverted for personal gain, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses to the federal government.
Alleged Scheme Inside Congress
Prosecutors say the accused individual worked in a role that provided routine access to congressional office spaces and equipment storage areas. Beginning last year, investigators allege, the former employee repeatedly removed smartphones designated for official use, often taking advantage of staff turnover and bulk device replacements to avoid immediate detection.
The stolen phones were reportedly newer-model devices issued under congressional contracts. Authorities allege that many were never activated for official use, making the thefts harder to spot through routine billing reviews. The losses were ultimately identified during an internal audit that flagged discrepancies between procurement records and active device inventories.
Court filings state that surveillance footage, access-badge records, and resale data from secondary electronics markets helped investigators trace the thefts back to the former staffer.
Federal Charges and Potential Penalties
The former congressional employee now faces multiple federal charges, including theft of government property and wire fraud. If convicted on all counts, the defendant could face significant prison time, financial penalties, and an order of restitution covering the full value of the stolen devices.
Prosecutors emphasized that the case is not being treated as a minor property crime but as a serious breach of trust involving federal resources and congressional operations.
“This was a position that required integrity and accountability,” a Justice Department official said in a statement. “The alleged conduct represents a deliberate exploitation of access to government property.”
Congressional Response and Security Review
House administrative officials confirmed that the accused individual is no longer employed by Congress and said additional safeguards are being reviewed. Internal security teams have begun reassessing how mobile devices are tracked, issued, and recovered when staff leave their positions.
Capitol administrators acknowledged that the size and complexity of congressional operations make asset management challenging but stressed that reforms are already underway. These include tighter sign-out procedures, more frequent audits, and enhanced coordination with the House Sergeant at Arms.
Officials also said there is no indication that sensitive congressional data was compromised, noting that the phones were either wiped remotely or never activated. Nonetheless, cybersecurity teams are conducting precautionary reviews to ensure no risk to congressional communications.
Broader Concerns About Oversight
The case has renewed scrutiny of how Congress manages taxpayer-funded equipment and the extent to which internal controls keep pace with the rapid turnover of staff on Capitol Hill. Ethics experts say the alleged theft underscores the need for stronger oversight mechanisms within legislative offices.
While large-scale fraud cases involving congressional employees are rare, past incidents have prompted periodic reforms. Lawmakers from both parties said they expect a full accounting once the case proceeds through court.
“This is about stewardship of public resources,” one senior House official said. “Any abuse of that trust must be addressed decisively.”
What Comes Next
The former employee is scheduled to make an initial court appearance in federal district court in Washington in the coming days. Prosecutors have indicated that the investigation remains active, though they have not suggested that additional suspects are involved.
As the case moves forward, congressional leaders say they will cooperate fully with federal authorities and implement any recommended changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Tags: U.S. Congress, Federal Charges, Theft of Government Property, Capitol Hill, Justice Department
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