A former U.S. State Department budget analyst, Levita Almuete Ferrer, 64, pleaded guilty to embezzling over $650,000 between March 2022 and April 2024. Ferrer used her authority over a department checking account to write and deposit 63 fraudulent checks—60 to herself and three to someone with whom she had a personal relationship. She altered payee records in QuickBooks to conceal the theft, making it appear funds went to legitimate vendors. Ferrer, also known as Levita Brezovic, agreed to repay the full amount and faces up to 10 years in prison at her September 18 sentencing.

Separately, a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent from Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s detail was arrested in Brussels after an altercation at Hotel Amigo. The agent allegedly became aggressive when hotel staff refused to reopen the bar, later clashing with police. Sources blame overwork and stress, citing unmanageable workloads for DSS shift supervisors. The State Department is investigating. Rubio, now a key figure in Trump’s Cabinet, was not present during the incident but stayed at the hotel later that week for a NATO summit.