Biden’s Ex-State Official and Rubio’s Bodyguard Expose Cracks in US Diplomatic Security

The credibility of the U.S. State Department has come under renewed scrutiny following a scandal involving a former senior budget analyst who served under President Joe Biden’s administration, alongside a separate controversy surrounding a bodyguard assigned to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

These unrelated but equally damaging incidents have triggered questions about the internal controls, oversight, and stress management within the corridors of American diplomatic power, painting a portrait of dysfunction beneath the surface of official diplomacy.

Levita Almuete Ferrer, a 64-year-old Maryland resident, once held a position of significant responsibility as a senior budget analyst within the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol.

Between March 2022 and April 2024, while entrusted with the power to oversee certain financial transactions, Ferrer exploited her authority to execute a calculated embezzlement scheme that siphoned more than $650,000 from government funds.

On Wednesday, Ferrer pleaded guilty to theft of government property, a confession that has added yet another stain on an administration already beleaguered by internal missteps.

Prosecutors in Washington, D.C., laid out the brazen simplicity of Ferrer’s fraudulent operation. Possessing signature authority over a State Department checking account, Ferrer authored a total of 63 checks, of which 60 were directed to herself.

The remaining three checks, amounting to significant sums, were issued to an individual with whom Ferrer shared a personal relationship. Each check, totaling an astounding $657,347.50, was carefully printed, signed, and then deposited into her personal bank accounts, all while Ferrer maintained her official duties at the department.

However, Ferrer’s scheme extended beyond the mere writing of checks. To veil her fraud from immediate detection, she employed QuickBooks, an accounting software commonly used for expense management, to manipulate financial records.

According to federal prosecutors, Ferrer initially entered her own name as the payee in the QuickBooks system, printed the checks accordingly, and only afterward did she edit the records to replace her name with those of legitimate State Department vendors.

This post-printing data manipulation ensured that cursory reviews of the department's books would not reveal her identity as the true recipient, allowing her deceit to fester undisturbed for over two years.

Her methods demonstrate a disturbing awareness of internal auditing processes and a calculated attempt to exploit gaps within those safeguards. The sophistication of Ferrer’s concealment underscores longstanding criticisms about the vulnerabilities in government financial oversight, especially in departments handling complex, multi-million-dollar budgets.

As part of her plea deal, Ferrer has agreed to restitution, committing to repay the full amount stolen. Additionally, a forfeiture money judgment matching the embezzled sum was issued against her.

She now awaits sentencing, scheduled for September 18, where she faces a maximum of ten years in prison. Yet, for many observers, the question remains: how could a single official misappropriate such significant funds without detection for so long within one of the most powerful government agencies?

While the Ferrer case reflects financial corruption, a separate incident involving a member of Secretary Marco Rubio’s security detail has further exposed operational weaknesses within the State Department’s ranks.

In an alarming episode on March 31, 2025, a seasoned Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent assigned to Rubio’s protection was arrested in Brussels, Belgium. Reports reveal that the agent, while staying at the prestigious Hotel Amigo, began “behaving erratically,” culminating in a violent altercation with local police officers.

The DSS agent’s outburst was allegedly sparked by frustration when hotel staff refused his request to reopen the bar after hours. The situation quickly escalated as the agent, already in an agitated state, became physically confrontational when hotel employees, including the night manager, attempted to persuade him to retire to his room. The hotel, concerned for the safety of its staff and guests, called Belgian authorities for assistance.

Upon arrival, police officers encountered resistance from the agent, who, instead of complying, fought with them, leading to his eventual arrest.

While such conduct is highly uncharacteristic of trained DSS personnel—agents entrusted with protecting American diplomats and ensuring their safety in volatile environments—the incident has shed light on the mental and physical strain faced by security teams operating at the highest levels.

Sources within the State Department, speaking to the Washington Examiner, offered a defense of the agent’s otherwise impeccable service record. They highlighted the punishing workloads faced by shift supervisors, particularly those serving on Rubio’s detail.

These supervisors reportedly manage not only direct security responsibilities but also handle exhaustive administrative tasks such as agent evaluations, scheduling, and coordination—often working six to seven days a week with little respite.

“There is an incomprehensible workload placed on these supervisors,” a source familiar with DSS operations revealed. “They are carrying the weight of an entire team while performing their own protective duties. It’s a breeding ground for burnout, and it’s only a matter of time before someone cracks under the pressure.”

Following his arrest, the DSS agent was released later the same day thanks to the intervention of the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, a move that has drawn criticism for perceived diplomatic favoritism. Secretary Rubio, who was scheduled to stay at the same hotel later that week while attending a NATO leaders’ summit, was not present during the incident.

The Diplomatic Security Service issued a guarded statement regarding the matter: “The Diplomatic Security Service is aware of allegations of an incident involving an employee in Brussels, Belgium, on March 31, 2025. While we don’t discuss specific personnel matters, the allegations are being examined.”

Yet the combination of this security debacle and Ferrer’s financial misconduct feeds a broader narrative about the strains, vulnerabilities, and potential lapses plaguing the State Department.

Under President Trump’s administration, Rubio has been one of the most trusted Cabinet members, holding not only the position of Secretary of State but also serving in multiple concurrent roles, including interim National Security Adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration.

The burden of such cumulative responsibilities on Rubio’s shoulders echoes the stress faced by his security detail, raising the issue of whether the department is stretching its personnel too thin to function effectively.

Critics argue that these dual incidents—the insider theft and the security lapse—are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues that go beyond individual failings. Both cases highlight the consequences of neglecting institutional resilience in favor of operational expediency.

While budget analysts like Ferrer exploit systemic blind spots for personal gain, DSS agents on the front lines may be succumbing to the overwhelming demands of a poorly resourced and overburdened security apparatus.

The optics of these events are damaging, especially for an administration that has long championed accountability and reform within the federal bureaucracy.

They provide ammunition to opponents who claim that under both Biden and Trump, the internal machinery of diplomacy has been corroded by complacency, burnout, and inadequate oversight.

The fact that an analyst could embezzle over half a million dollars while a security agent physically fought police officers abroad in the same year raises unavoidable questions about leadership, morale, and the integrity of America’s diplomatic infrastructure.

Moving forward, both incidents may catalyze calls for reform within the State Department, especially concerning internal financial controls and the welfare of security personnel.

As Ferrer awaits her sentencing and the DSS continues its inquiry into the Brussels debacle, the Department faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that these are isolated incidents rather than symptoms of a deeper, pervasive malaise.

Whether the government acts decisively or allows these stories to fade from the headlines will reveal much about its commitment to genuine institutional reform.

In a world where perception shapes diplomacy as much as policy, the United States can ill afford more headlines about rogue security agents and embezzling analysts tarnishing its global reputation.