A former agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has pleaded guilty to charges against him including stealing $136,000 in drug money.
The former agent, Scott M. Bowman admitted to stealing more than $136,000 in drug money that was used for buying some sports cars and for his wife's cosmetic surgery. He also admitted to filing false reports and to tampering with a witness in order to protect himself, according to the federal prosecutors.
He stole money that came from the execution of search warrants in the summer of 2014 during his work on a gang task force based in San Bernardino near Los Angeles. Bowman submitted false reports, forged a signature and also asked a police officer on the task force to lie for him if questioned by investigators. He apparently spent $43,000 on a Dodge Challenger, $27,500 on a Scion FRS and another $26,612 to outfit the cars with new speakers, rims and tires. He also spent $15,000 on his wife's cosmetic surgery.
The 45 year old former agent was once posted at the bureau's Los Angeles field office. He pleaded guilty to charges before U. S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal and is scheduled to be sentenced 15 August, 2016, according to a media release by the Justice Department. Attorney James Spertus, who is representing Bowman, said that his client has accepted full responsibility for his crimes. He said that Bowman has paid full price for his error in judgement in conducting those activities.
