Atlanta Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property

An Atlanta man who was once the office manager for a United States Congressman has pleaded guilty to misusing his authority to pay himself a higher salary and charging personal expenses to a government credit card, the Department of Justice says.

Brian Prokes, 28, allegedly transmitted fraudulent salary and bonus information to the House of Representatives’ Office of Payroll and Benefits between February and December 2012 in order to be paid a higher salary and benefits than he was authorized to receive. During the same period, Prokes allegedly used his Congressman’s government credit card to pay for personal travel expenses for himself and another person.

All told, Prokes was the alleged beneficiary of $19,000 in fraudulent salary, bonuses, and travel expenses.

Prokes’ sentencing date has been set for Oct. 14 in Washington, D.C.