FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
JUNE 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER NIH EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO
THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
Used Government Credit Card to Purchase Personal Items
Greenbelt, Maryland - Charrisse Fairfax Brown, age 48, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to theft of government property related to her unauthorized use of a government credit card, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the plea agreement presented to the court, from November 2004 through September 2006, Charrisse Fairfax Brown used an NIH commercial credit card intended for use by government organizations to purchase approved supplies and services costing $2,500 to purchase personal items. Over a two year period Brown spent over $24,221.56, using the government credit card to purchase items for her personal use, including a laptop computer, shoes, clothes, Direct TV service, jewelry, furniture, household items and travel and related expenses.
Brown faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for August 15, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele W. Sartori, who is prosecuting the case.