Sam Brinton, a former Biden Administration official, was released after stealing thousands of dollars in luggage
Brinton was charged with two felony counts of grand theft in different states. The contents of the stolen suitcases were worth more than $5,000.
(Sam Brinton / YT)
Former Department of Energy (DOE) official Sam Brinton, who was charged with two felony counts of theft in different states, was released without bail by a Minnesota court after a preliminary hearing.
Brinton faces a grand larceny charge for stealing a woman's luggage (worth $2,325) at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Sept. 16. The former official could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
The hearing was initially scheduled for December 19, but the date was postponed at the request of Brinton's lawyers. The judge also denied a request for a virtual appearance. Freelance photojournalist Rebecca Brannon filmed Brinton leaving the courthouse with his lawyers.
Two counts of theft and let go from DOE
In July, Brinton was also charged with stealing another woman's luggage worth more than $3,500 at Harry Reid (Nevada) International Airport. In this case, the former official faced up to 10 years in prison. However, in December he was released on $15,000 bail.
The former non-binary official left DOE shortly after news of the thefts surfaced. The reason for his departure was never made public because it was required by "law." A department spokesman said:
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