Christopher Southerland, a 43-year-old former systems administrator for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was arrested on allegations of stealing and unlawfully selling government-issued mobile devices. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro made the announcement on Monday, detailing that the devices, intended for official committee use, were found in a Maryland pawn shop.
The investigation began when a phone sold on eBay displayed the House Technology Service Desk contact information, prompting an inquiry that led to the discovery of the missing devices. Southerland, who served the committee from April 2020 to July 2023, had been responsible for the handling of mobile devices for committee staff. During this time, it is alleged that he had 240 new phones, worth an estimated total of $150,000, shipped directly to his residence. This number significantly exceeded the requirements of the roughly 80 staffers.
Prosecutors claim that from January to May 2023, Southerland orchestrated the delivery of these phones to his home and then conspired to sell them in parts to avoid detection by the committee's mobile device management software. This software is designed to remotely secure and monitor the devices. An indictment reveals that Southerland instructed a pawn shop employee to disassemble the phones before sale.
"Stealing taxpayer-funded devices is a betrayal of public trust," Pirro stated. "These phones are intended to support the work of the House, not line someone's pockets. Accountability matters—no one is above the law." Southerland now faces federal charges of theft of government property, and if convicted, the prosecutors will seek monetary restitution.
The U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are conducting the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Green leading the prosecution in Washington, D.C. The case unveils significant concerns about the oversight and internal controls for government-issued technology within Congress. Legal analysts point out that the incident underlines the risk of inadequate safeguards and the potential for exploitation for personal gain.
This is not the first incident of misconduct involving congressional staffers. Previous occurrences, including the arrest of a communications director in 2024 for bringing ammunition into a House office, and the termination of a staffer for impersonating an immigration attorney in 2025, have highlighted the need for robust internal controls and ethical oversight.
The revelation of Southerland's alleged actions has led to routine inventory checks and the reevaluation of device allocation verification processes. House officials are yet to announce any procedural reforms but are actively referring all instances of unauthorized possession or sale to appropriate authorities.
The case against Southerland not only sheds light on the particular vulnerabilities within the management of sensitive resources but also underscores the broader implications for accountability and transparency in federal operations.
