Biden nonbinary energy official accused of second luggage theft in Las Vegas: Report

Misty Severi

December 09, 08:13 AM December 09, 08:38 AM

A nonbinary Department of Energy official has been accused of stealing a second piece of female luggage, this time at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

A warrant for grand larceny has been issued for Sam Brinton, one of the first gender-fluid officials in the federal government, local news outlet 8 News Now reported Thursday. The date of the crime was not provided, but the value of the luggage ranged from $1,200 to $5,000, according to the warrant.

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The theft comes after Brinton, who has been placed on leave as the deputy assistant secretary of the Office Of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition, allegedly stole a woman's suitcase from baggage claim at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in September. The suitcase and items inside of it were worth $2,325, according to charging documents.

Brinton denied the initial accusations, with the official first claiming it was an unintended luggage mix-up. However, Brinton never checked bags in for the flight. Footage of the crime also allegedly showed Brinton removing the luggage's ID tag.

"Sam Brinton is on leave from DOE, and Dr. Kim Petry is performing the duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition," a spokesperson for the Energy Department told WHD News last month.

The clothes inside the luggage were claimed as belonging to Brinton initially, but the energy official later backtracked and blamed the incident on "being tired."

Republican lawmakers called for Brinton's resignation earlier this week, claiming that a U.S. official should not violate the laws of the land he or she represents.

"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 letter read. "As an appointed official, Sam Brinton represents both your Department and the United States. It is simply not possible for an individual to represent American values and simultaneously violate the felony laws of the land."

The Energy Department has not commented on the new allegations against Brinton. If convicted, Brinton could face between one year and 10 years in prison based on Nevada law. If convicted on the first allegations, Brinton could face five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.