In an incident brought to light by the federal watchdog group Functional Government Initiative (FGI), former “non-binary” Energy Department official Sam Brinton was implicated in an act of theft involving a woman’s suitcase at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The incident occurred during a taxpayer-funded trip when Brinton was representing the Energy Department. Surveillance footage from the airport captured images of Brinton taking the suitcase.
The FGI report obtained by The New York Post detailed allegations of Brinton stealing luggage and women’s clothing from multiple airports. Brinton, who had been appointed by President Joe Biden as the deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition, was subsequently terminated from the position amid the allegations. The FGI report also highlighted the fact that the thefts were funded by taxpayers, raising concerns about Brinton’s suitability for the role and the security clearance granted.
According to the report, Brinton’s business trip took place from July 6 to July 9, 2022, and included a meeting and site visit to the DOE Las Vegas Site. The trip cost taxpayers $1,951.50, as documented. Brinton stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club located on the Las Vegas Strip during the trip.
Initially facing a felony charge for the alleged theft of items worth $3,670, Brinton reached an agreement to pay the victim over $3,500 in restitution. As part of the agreement, Brinton received a suspended 180-day jail sentence on the condition of lawful behavior. Brinton pleaded “no contest” to a misdemeanor theft charge.
Prior to the Las Vegas incident, Brinton faced accusations of stealing luggage at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in December 2022. Additionally, Brinton was arrested earlier this year in Rockville, Maryland, for allegedly stealing luggage belonging to Tanzanian fashion designer Asya Khamsin. Khamsin revealed that unique designs from her stolen suitcase were later found in Brinton’s possession.
Authorities decided to place Brinton, despite identifying as “non-binary,” in a men’s jail in Maryland before being released on bond in June.