On July 6, 2023, in the Central District of California, Graham Hefner pleaded guilty to theft of government property, after he willfully stole, and converted to his own use, property of the United States Government, namely a General Services Administration (GSA) issued gas card. Hefner was sentenced to probation for a term of one year, ordered to pay costs of a court-ordered drug treatment program, a special assessment of $25, and $63 in restitution.     

According to the court documents, on January 10, 2023, Hefner, a 13-year Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee, was seen at the El Monte IRS office while on administrative "Leave Without Pay" status. On this same date, two separate witnesses observed vehicle keys and a GSA fuel card for an IRS Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) prior to Hefner arriving at the El Monte IRS office. Hours later, an IRS employee noticed the GOV was no longer in the parking lot. IRS personnel notified law enforcement.

On January 11, 2023, San Jacinto Sheriff's Department deputies stopped the GOV and identified Hefner as the driver based on his Tennessee driver's license. A TIGTA special agent responded to the scene and took custody of Hefner. In a subsequent Mirandized interview, Hefner admitted to taking the vehicle keys, GSA fuel card, and the GOV for his personal use.  

Source:  The facts in this case narrative come from the following publicly available documents: C.D. Cal., Judgement filed July 6, 2023; C.D. Cal., Information filed July 5, 2023; C.D. Cal., Report Commencing Criminal Action, filed Jan. 13, 2023; and C.D. Cal., Crim., Compl., filed Jan. 13, 2023.