Ex-FBI agent admits to stealing $136K for plastic surgery, trip to Vegas

LOS ANGELES — A former FBI special agent pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $136,000 seized during drug investigations and using the funds to buy plastic surgery for his wife, a trip to Las Vegas and two cars.

Scott M. Bowman, 45, was indicted on various charges related to the theft in June 2015.

“Former Agent Bowman put his own greed above the trust placed in him by the FBI and the American public,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said after Bowman was indicted.

Bowman became an FBI agent in 2005. For eight years he was assigned to the Gang Impact Team, a federal and state task force focused on gang-related crimes in the Los Angeles area.

Prosecutors determined Bowman stole money seized during drug investigations multiple times in 2014. In one instance, he unsealed evidence bags to grab cash and then put the remaining money in a new evidence bag before taking it to a company tasked with counting large amounts of cash for the FBI. He subsequently lied on federal paperwork and claimed another officer accompanied him. Later, he forged the officer's signature on paperwork.

He kept about $10,000 and spent the rest on various luxuries. He spent $15,000 on cosmetic surgery for his wife. He splurged on a trip to Las Vegas with his girlfriend. He bought two vehicles -- a 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S and a 2012 Dodge Challenger -- and outfitted the vehicles with new rims, tires and other accessories.

He told people he got an advance on his inheritance from his sick father, but the ruse didn't last. An FBI supervisor contacted Bowman to ask about some of the missing funds in October 2014. He claimed the company hired to count money for the FBI had mistakenly mixed cash from multiple investigations and then contacted the officer who had supposedly gone to the company with him to make sure his story would be backed up.

“As Mr. Bowman takes responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty, the public should be reminded that FBI personnel are held to the highest standards and misconduct of any kind is taken vary seriously,” James Struyk, acting assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said on Monday. “When the FBI became aware of allegations of misconduct … FBI management took immediate action.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Cox Media Group