An Alexandria woman pleaded guilty today (Tuesday) in federal court for stealing more than $22,000 from her former employer, a member of Congress.
Courtney Melissa Hruska, 40, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, a felony with a maximum term of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Federal prosecutors say Hruska stole $22,875.07 from her former employer’s personal credit card and bank account to pay her bills on 10 occasions between Aug. 19, 2023, and July 30, 2024. The funds were stolen after Hruska left the congresswoman’s employment, which court documents show she held between 2016 and 2022.
While the member of Congress was not identified in court documents or in the Justice Department’s press release, court records show that Hruska served as the victim’s office scheduler, office manager and administrative director during that time. The victim also helped Hruska obtain her next job at a U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Alexandria.
As part of her plea agreement, Hruska will pay the entire amount stolen back to the victim, must surrender her passport and refrain from possessing a gun, destructive device or other weapon. She must also remain within the D.C. metropolitan area unless she receives court approval to travel and must not have contact with the victim.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Drucker.
Hruska is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23.
