A former budget analyst from the State Department has confessed to embezzling over $650,000 from the agency over two years, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.

Levita Almuete Ferrer, 64, a Maryland resident, confessed to exploiting her signing authority over a State Department checking account between March 2022 and April 2024 while serving as a senior budget analyst in the department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol.

According to prosecutors, she issued 60 checks to herself and three checks to a person with whom she had a personal connection. She printed, signed, and then deposited all 63 checks into her personal bank accounts.

Levita Almuete Ferrer, 64, admitted to abusing her signature authority over a State Department checking account between March 2022 and April 2024. (Celal Gunes / Anadolu Agency)

Ferrer pleaded guilty on Wednesday to theft of government property and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18. She could face a maximum of 10 years in prison.

As part of her plea agreement, Ferrer agreed to pay the stolen amount in restitution to the U.S. government and be liable for a forfeiture money judgment in that same amount.