Ex-Defense Dept. Cop Anthony Lesane Cops to Theft

Anthony Lesane, 56, of Fort Washington, Maryland, is no longer wearing a badge — and now he’s paying for it. The former police officer for the Department of Defense was sentenced today to one year of probation, slapped with a $6,000 fine, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service after admitting to stealing $25,832.47 from the federal government by falsifying work hours.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms handed down the sentence in Greenbelt, Maryland, where Lesane stood before the court to face the consequences of a three-year fraud scheme. From August 2016 through October 2019, Lesane, assigned to a DoD facility in Prince George’s County, routinely punched in fake overtime on the department’s time and attendance system — including logging hours while vacationing overseas.

The scam wasn’t subtle. On most occasions, Lesane claimed overtime pay for shifts he never worked. Internal audits eventually caught the irregularities, triggering an investigation by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Mid-Atlantic Field Office. Their probe confirmed Lesane had systematically billed for time off the clock — and on the government’s dime.

As part of his plea agreement, Lesane admitted to the theft of government property charge, a federal offense that could have landed him behind bars. Instead, he avoided jail time but paid full restitution of $25,832.47 the same day as his sentencing. The court also mandated that his 100 hours of community service be completed within the first nine months of probation.

U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron, who announced the sentence, credited DCIS for leading the investigation and acknowledged support from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. “Stealing from the government undermines public trust,” Barron said. “When someone in a position of authority, especially law enforcement, commits fraud, the betrayal runs deep.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Baldwin prosecuted the case. The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to prioritize public corruption and misuse of federal funds. More information on ongoing efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-md and community outreach resources.