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Wasserman Schultz IT Staffer Arrested, Charged With Bank Fraud

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz / Getty
July 25, 2017

An IT staffer for Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) was arrested for bank fraud Monday night while trying to flee the country.

The Daily Caller reported Monday that the FBI had seized smashed hard drives from Imran Awan's home. Fox News' Chad Pergram reports that Awan was apprehended at Dulles Airport later that night.

Politico reported in March that Imran Awan was one of five House contractors under investigation for "stealing equipment from members' offices without their knowledge" and "committing serious, potentially illegal, violations on the House IT network."

Despite the allegations against Awan and despite his congressional IT privileges being revoked, Wasserman Schultz continued to employ him. Fox News reported that Democrats were publicly and privately standing behind the accused staffers, arguing that "their Muslim and Pakistani heritage prompted the probe and is contributing to fear-mongering."

In May, Wasserman Schultz demanded the Capitol Police return a laptop being held in connection with the investigation. "I think you're violating the rules when you conduct your business that way," she told the U.S. Capitol Police chief, "and should expect that there would be consequences."