The congressional office of Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) recently had several items and cash stolen from her Washington D.C. office, according to a police report obtained by Townhall.
Camera equipment with a retail value of $1,079 and $220 in cash vanished between Oct. 3 and 6 of 2014. Bachmann’s press secretary, Dan Kotman, declined questioning as to whether or not this incident is believed to be from a staffer or if these items were purchased with taxpayer money.
Capitol Police have declined any comment about the case, citing an ongoing investigation. When asked if there are security cameras in Bachmann’s office, Lt. Kimberly Schneider, Public Information Officer at Capitol Police said, “We do not discuss our law enforcement or security procedures.”
Inside the offices of the Rayburn House Office Building, anyone is allowed to come in and out in between 5am and 8pm or 30 minutes after the adjournment of the House and Senate, seven days a week.
Bachmann’s office is no stranger to theft. In July 2013, her legislative aid, Javier Sanchez, was arrested in a police sting for stealing cash from her office.
In room 2416, directly across the hall from Bachmann, is Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.). A police report was filed for $256 in miscellaneous items stolen from his office right around the same date as Bachmann's police report. Capitol Police would not comment on whether the incidents were related.
Theft inside Congressional and Senate offices located throughout Capitol Hill is not rare. A report released by Capitol Police to Roll Call shows thefts common in between 2007-2012.
Capitol Police would also not comment on any need to refine security protocols.