Gwendolyn Brandon, a former supervisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pleaded guilty on May 22 to theft of government funds after submitting fake invoices that resulted in the embezzlement of more than $190,000 from the agency.
Brandon’s case underscores concerns about safeguarding taxpayer money and ensuring integrity within federal agencies. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia is responsible for prosecuting such cases to protect public resources and maintain trust in government operations, according to the official website.
“This defendant embezzled taxpayer money and brazenly exploited her position of public trust by fabricating invoices,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “When she is sentenced later this year, she will pay the price for her greed and deception.”
Special Agent in Charge Marcus L. Sykes of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said, “This federal employee-turn-fraudster exploited her government position to steal taxpayer money to enrich herself. HHS-OIG is committed to protecting the integrity of the federal workforce and to help ensure that HHS funding is spent appropriately to serve the American public.”
According to information presented in court, Brandon created fraudulent invoices between August 2023 and February 2025 while working as an administrative professional at CDC. She used her supervisory role and knowledge of internal systems so employees under her supervision would unknowingly process payments into an account she controlled. In total, she caused payment on at least 46 fraudulent invoices ranging from $2,230 to $9,970 each.
Brandon has agreed as part of her plea deal not only to resign from CDC but also never again seek employment or contract work with any federal agency. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg is scheduled for September 3 at 10:00 a.m., where guidelines will be considered but are not binding.
Theodore S. Hertzberg held the position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; his office serves as principal law enforcement agency across a region covering north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs with coordination on cases having national or international scope—enforcing criminal laws while collaborating with law enforcement partners on matters including terrorism, trafficking, civil rights violations, public safety threats, and representing United States interests in civil litigation according to their official website.
