| FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD, THEFT, AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS Greenbelt, Maryland – Today, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland announced the arrest of Evester Edd, 64, of Silver Spring, Maryland. Edd, a former senior human resources employee for the Peace Corps, is charged with wire fraud, theft of government funds, and making false statements to federal agents. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the criminal complaint with Inspector General Joaquin E. Ferrao, Peace Corps Office of Inspector General (Peace Corps OIG), and Acting Inspector General Joe Allen, Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Edd allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud the U.S. government by simultaneously working as a federal employee and federal contractor. Edd is accused of falsifying his timecards submitted to multiple federal agencies and misrepresenting the amount of work he performed for the government. This scheme involved the use of wire communications to submit false time and attendance reports resulting in double billing for tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, Edd is accused of making false statements. When completing documentation for a security clearance, Edd allegedly misrepresented the nature of his ties to individuals overseas. Also, during an interview with federal agents investigating the case, Edd was allegedly dishonest about electronic accounts he created, actions he took, and money he sent to foreign nationals in exchange for explicit content. According to the affidavit, Edd also allegedly abused his government access to computers and systems on more than 1,000 occasions to access, save, and transmit Privacy Act information and agency sensitive information. He sent protected government information via commercial email accounts to commercial email servers and his mobile devices. This arrest is the result of a yearlong investigation led by the Peace Corps OIG in partnership with FHFA-OIG and other law enforcement partners. In November 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant for Edd's home to recover his electronic devices. Then in December 2024, Edd retired from federal service during the pending criminal investigation. "Public service is a public trust, and that trust is broken when government employees falsify records or otherwise engagement in fraudulent behavior," Hayes said. "These charges reflect the U.S. Attorney's Office's commitment — along with our law enforcement partners — to holding individuals accountable when they undermine the integrity of federal agencies and violate the law. We will continue to pursue justice wherever misconduct threatens the fairness and security of our institutions." "The investigation and today's arrest underscore our commitment to pursue allegations against those who would defraud U.S. taxpayers and undermine the public trust in the integrity of the federal workforce," Ferrao said. "Identifying, investigating, and preventing schemes that defraud American taxpayers is a core mission of the Federal Housing Finance Agency OIG. As today's arrest reflects, FHFA OIG works closely with our partner OIGs and the Department of Justice to ensure that allegations of fraud involving those in a position of public trust are thoroughly investigated and appropriate charges are filed," Allen said. Edd is facing a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud, 10 years for theft of government property, five years for false statements to federal agents, and significant fines and restitution. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the Peace Corps OIG and FHFA-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Baldwin who is prosecuting this case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud. # # # | 
