Former nonbinary Biden administration official, Sam Brinton, has been arrested multiple times for alleged airport baggage thefts in various states, despite being appointed to a critical position at the Department of Energy. Brinton, who made headlines in mid-2022 after being appointed as a nonbinary gender-fluid person to lead nuclear waste policy, has managed to avoid jail time in two criminal cases, while a third case and a related lawsuit are still ongoing.
In October 2022, Brinton was charged with stealing a traveler’s baggage worth $2,325 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Another incident took place in December 2022, when Las Vegas prosecutors charged Brinton with grand larceny for stealing a suitcase valued at $3,670, which contained jewelry, clothing, and makeup.
Further controversy arose when a female fashion designer alleged that Brinton had been photographed wearing her custom designs, which had gone missing from her luggage in 2018. In May, Brinton was arrested again related to these allegations, and the police discovered the missing clothes at Brinton’s home and returned them to the designer.
Despite these arrests and allegations, Brinton has managed to avoid jail time. In April, Brinton entered an adult diversion program in Minnesota, where they will undergo a mental health evaluation, write an apology letter to the victim, return any stolen property, and complete three days of community service. In the Las Vegas case, Brinton was ordered to pay restitution and additional fees but received a suspended jail sentence.
Critics, particularly Republicans, are calling for a thorough investigation into the vetting process that allowed Brinton to be appointed to a position with important national security responsibilities. However, the Department of Energy has failed to provide additional information about Brinton’s departure from the agency or whether any internal inquiry was conducted.
The next hearing for the ongoing case against Brinton is scheduled for March 2024. Additionally, the fashion designer has filed a lawsuit against Brinton.
It remains to be seen how these multiple arrests and allegations will impact Brinton’s professional future and the reputation of the Biden administration.
