Eddie Ray Johnson, Theft of Government Property, Maryland 2021

Greenbelt, Maryland - In a shocking case of government corruption, Eddie Ray Johnson, 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pleaded guilty to theft of government property.

Johnson, a former Air Force employee, used his government-issued travel credit card to obtain more than $1.1 million in cash advances from January 2003 to February 2018. At least $774,000 of these funds were diverted to his own personal use.

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and other federal officials.

Johnson, who was a travel coordinator in the Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Legislative Liaison, admitted to using the stolen funds to purchase a baby grand piano, loan payments for a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and family vacations.

During a search of Johnson's residence, law enforcement recovered approximately $15,174.00 in cash, with at least $4,000 of the funds seized being proceeds of his offense.

Johnson's conduct resulted in a loss to the U.S. government of $1,157,540.69, including $26,506.02 in banking and service fees. As part of his plea agreement, Johnson has agreed to the entry of a restitution order in the full amount of the victim's losses.

Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for theft of government property. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-air-force-employee-pleads-guilty-stealing-more-11-million-government-funds