Lucia Rose DiEmidio, Making a False Statement, Washington District of Columbia 2021

Washington D.C. – In a shocking turn of events, Lucia Rose DiEmidio, a 28-year-old former background investigator, has pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a federal background investigation case. The crime, which took place between March 2017 and August 2017, has far-reaching implications for the federal government and its employees.

According to the evidence presented, DiEmidio, who was employed by a private contractor under contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), falsified reports of investigation for background checks. She represented that she had interviewed sources or reviewed records, when in fact, she had not.

The false statements, which were made approximately 26 times, were used by the agencies requesting the background investigations to determine suitability for positions with access to classified information, national security positions, and positions of public trust.

The OPM’s Federal Investigative Services and National Background Investigations Bureau had a robust integrity assurance program in place, which utilized various methods to ensure the accuracy of reported information. However, the falsification of investigative case work by DiEmidio was detected through the program.

The estimated cost of reopening and reworking the background investigations assigned to DiEmidio during the time period of her falsifications is at least $86,562 to the federal government. This is a staggering amount, considering the importance of accurate background checks in the hiring process.

Lucia Rose DiEmidio, 28, of Bohemia, New York, has pleaded guilty to making a false statement in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Trevor N. McFadden has scheduled sentencing for June 1, 2021. The charge carries a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has commended the efforts of Special Agent Christopher J. Sulhoff, Office of the Inspector General, OPM; and Dale A. Walker, Office of the Inspector General, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, for their work in detecting and investigating DiEmidio’s false statements. The case is a reminder of the importance of integrity in the hiring process and the severe consequences of making false statements in a federal background investigation.

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