On July 18, 2016, Louis Effa, a former Infrastructure Manager for the Maritime Administration (MARAD), was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Greenbelt, MD, to 3 years of probation and ordered to pay $37,386.94 in restitution. As part of the probation, he was ordered to serve 14 days in a community correctional facility, to be followed by 5 months and 2 weeks of home confinement. He was also ordered to fully cooperate with any immigration proceedings. In May 2016 he pleaded guilty to theft of government property.

 

In November 2014, MARAD discovered that Effa used his MARAD business account to purchase three unauthorized Apple iPads. Effa had the iPads shipped to a friend at a non-MARAD address in Piney Point, MD. MARAD discovered the three unauthorized Apple iPads after conducting an internal audit. Effa resigned from MARAD after being placed on administrative leave. 

 

The investigation disclosed that between 2012 and November 2014, Effa stole approximately 119 iPads, iPhones, laptops, keyboards, and other computer equipment belonging to MARAD. He sold many of the items online and received at least $37,386 for the stolen property. 

 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with assistance from MARAD. This investigation was prosecuted by the Department of Justice, Public Integrity Section, Washington, DC.