Former Congressional Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in $22,000 Theft Case
An Alexandria woman has admitted to committing wire fraud by stealing over $22,000 from her former employer, a member of Congress. Courtney Melissa Hruska, 40, pleaded guilty to the felony charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Hruska used her former employer's personal credit card and bank account to pay her bills on multiple occasions after leaving the congresswoman's employment between 2016 and 2022.
Hruska, who held various positions such as office scheduler, office manager, and administrative director for the unnamed member of Congress, misappropriated funds totaling $22,875.07. The victim, who also assisted Hruska in securing a job at a U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Alexandria, was not identified in court documents or the Justice Department's press release. As part of her plea agreement, Hruska is required to repay the full amount stolen to the victim and adhere to several restrictions, including surrendering her passport, refraining from possessing weapons, staying within the D.C. metropolitan area, and avoiding contact with the victim.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, and the prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Drucker. Hruska is set to be sentenced on June 23 for her criminal actions.