Maryland Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $650,000 From State Department

Levita Almuete Ferrer, a former Senior Budget Analyst in the U.S. State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol, pleaded guilty to embezzling over $650,000 from the department over a two-year period. Ferrer exploited her authority to issue 60 checks to herself and three to another individual with whom she had a personal relationship, funneling a total of $657,347.50 into her personal accounts. To conceal the fraud, she manipulated QuickBooks entries by initially listing herself as the payee, then altering records to show legitimate vendors, making detection difficult without a detailed audit. The scheme was uncovered, and Ferrer admitted her actions in federal court, agreeing to restitution and forfeiture of the stolen amount. She faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing set for September 18, 2025. Ferrer has stated that the funds have been dissipated, but she is still required to attempt repayment to the government.