Former Controller Pleads Guilty to Stealing USAID Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2005
2005-085
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Inspector General announced today that Michael Steiger, 40, of Stafford, Virginia pled guilty to violating Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2314 (Interstate transportation of stolen and fraudulently obtained property).
This guilty plea stems from Steiger's theft of $58,337 from his former employer, Management Sciences for Development, Inc. (MSD), a Washington, D.C. based company that provides development-related services in foreign countries pursuant to contracts with the USAID. Steiger faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he appears before United States District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly for sentencing on December 21, 2005.
According to evidence gathered by Special Agents from USAID's Office of Inspector General, Steiger, who was MSD's controller at the time, stole funds from an MSD operational expense account at FCNB Bank by causing checks to be issued payable to him. Steiger thereafter took the checks from MSD's offices in the District of Columbia to Virginia where he deposited them into his personal bank account.
In announcing the guilty plea, Acting Deputy Inspector General Paula F. Hayes stated that her office would not tolerate fraud or abuse in the international aid programs supported by the United States. She commended the work and dedication of AUSA John Griffith of the United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, for obtaining this guilty plea.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years. For more information on USAID, visit: http://www.usaid.gov.
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