A former senior budget analyst for the U.S. State Department, Levita Almuete Ferrer, has admitted to embezzling more than $650,000 from the agency, a crime carried out over a two-year period while she served in the Office of the Chief of Protocol. Prosecutors revealed that Ferrer—also known as Levita Brezovic—used her financial oversight authority to divert government funds into her own possession through unauthorized checks. Between March 2022 and April 2024, she systematically exploited a State Department checking account, writing checks to herself and an associate while altering accounting entries to avoid immediate detection. At 64, Ferrer held a position that came with significant trust and access, and her misconduct underscores how deeply internal fraud can damage federal operations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., detailed the sophistication of her scheme, highlighting how her actions blended intent, opportunity, and methodical cover-ups to siphon taxpayer money for personal use.
According to prosecutors, Ferrer executed her embezzlement through 63 checks—60 made out to herself and three to another individual—totaling $657,347.50. She concealed these transactions using QuickBooks, initially listing herself as the payee when printing checks and later editing entries to show payments to legitimate State Department vendors. This manipulation created a veneer of normal financial activity, making routine audits less likely to reveal the misconduct. Investigators later determined that Ferrer’s motive was tied to a gambling addiction, which she admitted during the legal process. The case demonstrates how individuals in sensitive financial roles can exploit digital accounting tools to hide fraudulent activities, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight and internal controls in federal agencies. Ferrer’s calculated approach not only diverted substantial funds but also highlighted vulnerabilities within government accounting systems.
The legal consequences for Ferrer were significant. She was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 12 months and one day in prison, reflecting both the severity of the breach and her acceptance of responsibility through a guilty plea. In addition to incarceration, Ferrer must repay the entire amount she stole and is subject to a forfeiture judgment for the same sum. These penalties reinforce the federal government’s commitment to recovering misappropriated funds and holding violators accountable, especially in cases where entrusted employees exploit their authority. Ferrer’s conviction signals a clear message: breaches of fiduciary duty within federal agencies will be met with firm legal action to protect public resources and deter similar misconduct. Although she avoided a longer trial, the consequences for her career, finances, and reputation remain substantial, illustrating the lasting impact of internal corruption cases.
At the same time as Ferrer’s sentencing, federal authorities were confronted with a different type of threat—one targeting the personal safety of government officials. In Newark, New Jersey, 51-year-old Keith Michael Lisa was arrested after attempting to enter the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building carrying a baseball bat and damaging the office of U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Lisa, who has ties to California, New York City, and Mahwah, New Jersey, was detained less than 48 hours after charges were filed, thanks to rapid coordination between the FBI and other federal agencies. Authorities described Lisa as physically imposing and potentially dangerous, emphasizing that his actions posed a direct threat to federal staff and the functioning of a major prosecutorial office. The incident underscores the rising concern over violence or intimidation directed at public officials, especially in an era marked by increasing political hostility.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Alina Habba both responded with strong statements condemning the attack and praising the swift law enforcement action. Bondi framed the incident as part of a concerning trend of politically motivated aggression against federal authorities, asserting that such threats will be met with zero tolerance. Habba, who oversees about 155 federal prosecutors and 130 staff members across New Jersey, expressed gratitude for the rapid response and reaffirmed her commitment to continue carrying out her duties. She characterized the attack as an example of radical hostility directed at law enforcement personnel and emphasized the Justice Department’s obligation to ensure the safety and stability of its workforce. These reactions highlight the broader national conversation around protecting federal officials amid rising tensions and ensuring that intimidation does not undermine the justice system.
Federal officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, noted that attacks on U.S. Attorneys represent attacks on the legal system itself, making the rapid apprehension of Lisa essential. The damage caused to Habba’s office symbolized the vulnerability federal prosecutors face, reinforcing the importance of stringent security protocols, threat monitoring, and interagency cooperation. While the motive behind the attack has not yet been disclosed, authorities emphasized that any effort to intimidate or harm federal officials disrupts the administration of justice and will be prosecuted aggressively. Taken together, the cases of Ferrer and Lisa reflect two distinct but equally serious threats to federal integrity: internal financial misconduct that erodes trust in government stewardship of public funds, and external acts of violence that place officials at physical risk. Both incidents demonstrate how the federal system responds decisively—through criminal prosecution, coordinated law enforcement, and public reaffirmations of institutional resilience—to safeguard national resources and uphold the rule of law.
