A Biden energy department official who allegedly stole a girl’s suitcase from a Minneapolis airport in September has been accused of one other luggage heist at a Las Vegas airport.
A felony warrant on grand larceny charges was issued for Sam Brinton, the deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition on the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, 8 News Now reported Thursday.
Brinton, who made history as considered one of the federal government’s first gender-fluid officials, allegedly stole luggage from one other traveler at Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas on an unknown date, in keeping with the outlet.
Details concerning the alleged theft are scarce, but 8 News Now stated Brinton, 35, was charged with grand larceny with a price between $1,200 and $5,000.
The energy official, who uses they/them pronouns, reportedly has sticky fingers for suitcases.
Brinton was placed on leave from the Department of Energy after it got here out they were charged with felony theft for reportedly snatching a girl’s Vera Bradley suitcase from baggage claim on the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Sept. 16, in keeping with court documents.
The suitcase and the girl’s belongings inside it were valued at $2,325.
Brinton initially denied taking the baggage, but later claimed they mistook it for their very own bag at baggage claim — despite never having checked a bag before their flight, in keeping with court filings.
They allegedly removed the suitcase’s ID tag after plucking from the baggage carousel, video surveillance showed.
They were later seen using the Vera Bradley suitcase on not less than two occasions, while traveling to Washington, DC, on Sept. 18 and Oct. 9, investigators said.
Brinton was subsequently charged with felony theft of a moveable property without consent and placed on leave following the accusation.
Earlier this week, a gaggle of House Republicans called for Brinton to step down over the initial allegations.
Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia and 15 other Republicans sent a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Tuesday calling for their removal from the department.
“We demand the resignation of Sam Brinton, and we implore you to put aside petty politics and appoint only probably the most qualified and dedicated individuals to influence America’s energy sector,” the GOP lawmakers wrote.