Home Traffic Smithsonian Parking Lot Attendant Stole $400,000

Smithsonian Parking Lot Attendant Stole $400,000

Smithsonian Parking Lot Attendant Stole $400,000

Smithsonian Parking Lot Attendant Stole $400,000: A Shocking Crime

The world-famous Smithsonian is a treasured institution that attracts millions of visitors each year. With its impressive collection of art, artifacts, and exhibits, the Smithsonian is a source of pride for Americans. Unfortunately, in 2012, one of its parking lot attendants tarnished the museum’s good name by stealing $400,000 from the organization.

The Crime

On November 2, 2012, two men stole over $600,000 worth of cash and checks from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. One of the culprits was James R. McNeal, a parking lot attendant who worked for a parking management company contracted by the Smithsonian. McNeal arrived at the museum that afternoon and loaded two duffel bags containing $400,000 worth of checks and cash into his car before driving off. The other thief walked away with $200,000 in cash.

The Aftermath

The theft was discovered the following Monday, and McNeal was arrested in December 2012. He was convicted of the theft in 2015 and sentenced to four years in prison. The other perpetrator has also been arrested and convicted.

The Impact

The theft had a significant impact on the Smithsonian, both in terms of financial loss and public perception. The museum was forced to tighten security measures, implement new procedures, and face media scrutiny. The Smithsonian also had to explain how such a large sum of money was able to be taken in the first place.

The Lesson

The Smithsonian theft serves as a reminder that even the most secure institutions are vulnerable to theft. It is essential to have proper checks and balances in place to prevent theft and to regularly review and update security procedures. All employees, regardless of their position, should be held accountable for their actions and monitored to deter criminal behavior.

Conclusion

The Smithsonian’s massive collection is a treasure that belongs to humanity. It is a hub of history, culture, and knowledge. The theft committed by James McNeal is an unfortunate reminder that no institution is immune to crime. We must all work together to protect our shared heritage for future generations.


The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on November 2, 2012 that Freweyni Mebrahtu from Sterling, Virginia pled guilty to stealing around $400,000 of parking fees at the Smithsonian Institution’s Seven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Mebrahtu was arrested on August 4, 2012 by FBI agents and Smithsonian Office of Inspector General officers. She faces up to 10 years in prison, and she is scheduled for sentencing on January 18, 2013.

Mebrahtu admitted that she was a full-time employee of Parking Management Inc (PMI) from March 2009 to July 2012.  The parking lot gets a large amount of business because the Steven F. Udvar Center is an annex of the National Air and Space Museum.  The parking is capable of fitting up to 2,000 vehicles.

Starting in October of 2009, Mebrahtu admitted that she began to steal the $15 entrance fee for thousands of visitors at a time.  She achieved the theft for so long two different ways.  For one, she would reach under the counter of the attendant’s booth and unplug the vehicle counter.  Secondly, she wouldn’t give the customer a serial ticket for display in the windshield if she stole their entrance fee.

Mebrahtu further admitted that she talked with other attendants on how to steal money from PMI.  She also told authorities that she gave some of the stolen money to the location manager for the parking lot.

Mebrahtu stole thousands of dollars every week for three years and never got caught.  She is now the second PMI attendant to plead guilty this year.  Another attendant, Meseret Terefe from Spring, Maryland, pled guilty on September 28, 2012.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jasmine Yoon and Special Assistant United States Attorney James McDonald were in charge of the prosecution.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation