FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
OCTOBER 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER NIH EMPLOYEE SENTENCED FOR
THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
Used Government Credit Card to Purchase Personal Items
Greenbelt, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Charrisse Fairfax Brown, age 48, of Washington, D.C., today to 45 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for 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. Judge Messitte also ordered Fairfax Brown to pay restitution of $24,221.56 by November 9, 2007.
According to the plea agreement presented to the court, from November 2004 through September 2006, Charrisse Fairfax Brown was authorized to use an NIH commercial credit card to purchase approved supplies and services. During this period Brown used the card to buy over $24,221.56 in items for her personal use, including a laptop computer, shoes, clothes, Direct TV service, jewelry, furniture, household items and travel and related expenses.
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.