A Biden administration Energy Department official who stole a woman’s suitcase from a Minneapolis airport in September has been accused of another luggage heist at a Las Vegas airport.
A felony warrant on grand larceny charges was issued on Thursday for Sam Brinton, the deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition at the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, The Post can confirm.
Brinton, who made history as one of the federal government’s first gender-fluid officials, allegedly stole luggage from another traveler at Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas on an unknown date, according to the outlet.
Details about the alleged theft are scarce, but court records viewed by The Post showed that Brinton, 35, was charged with grand larceny with a value 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 he was charged with felony theft for reportedly snatching a woman’s Vera Bradley suitcase from baggage claim at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on Sept. 16, according to court documents.
The suitcase and the woman’s belongings inside it were valued at $2,325.
Brinton initially denied taking the luggage but later claimed he mistook it for his own bag at baggage claim — despite never having checked a bag before his flight, according to court filings.
He allegedly removed the suitcase’s ID tag after plucking it from the luggage carousel, video surveillance showed.
He were later seen using the Vera Bradley suitcase on at least two occasions, while traveling to Washington, DC, on Sept. 18 and Oct. 9, investigators said.
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Brinton was subsequently charged with felony theft of a moveable property without consent and placed on leave following the accusation.
Earlier this week, a group 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 Brinton’s removal from the department.
“We demand the resignation of Sam Brinton, and we implore you to set aside petty politics and appoint only the most qualified and dedicated individuals to influence America’s energy sector”, the GOP lawmakers wrote.
Brinton’s mom, Peggy Jo, told The Post on Friday that she was not aware of the recent Las Vegas incident. She still refers to Brinton with he/him pronouns.
“I have not spoken to him directly, but my daughter has spoken to him though”, she said. “We’re trying to communicate as little as possible because he’s screening calls and all”.
She added, “Mostly, I am just praying for him. My heart is saddened for him right now that he’s dealing with so much. He’s my son. I absolutely love him and support him”.
Source: NY Post
