DEA THEFT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A former budget analyst for the Drug Enforcement
Administration was accused Thursday of stealing $6 million from the agency,
said to be the largest ever theft from the Justice Department by an
employee. The 74-count indictment accuses David S. Bowman, 57, of
submitting hundreds of false payment vouchers in the name of a sham company
that led to checks being sent to a post office box he controlled. He then
laundered the proceeds through local banks and used them on a variety of
expenditures, largely luxury items, for himself and his family, the
indictment said.

"It's the largest internal theft in Justice Department history," said
Justice Department spokesman John Russell.

Bowman, of Arlington, Va., worked for the DEA for 22 years before retiring
in April 1997.

His attorney, Harvey Volzer, did not immediately return a call seeking
comment. Bowman is charged with 53 counts of money laundering, 15 of
concealment of money laundering, five of mail fraud and one count of theft
and conversion of government property and money.

The indictment seeks criminal forfeiture of all property and money involved
in the money-laundering violations.

Among expenditures listed in the indictment are numerous automobiles,
travel, jewelry, collector coins, art work, furniture, computers and stereo
equipment.

Copyright 1998 The Associated Press.