GSA executive could face charges for stealing an iPod, other gadgets

In addition to facing congressional scrutiny this week for planning an $820,000 Las Vegas conference, a senior General Services Administration executive soon may be charged with theft as well.

Jeffrey Neely, the organizer who has been asked to testify at multiple hearings this week for his role in planning the 2010 biennial GSA Public Buildings Services Western Regions conference, also took various electronics from a GSA office in San Francisco for his personal use, government officials told The Washington Post on Friday. The accusations stem from evidence that Brian Miller, GSA’s inspector general, turned over to Justice Department prosecutors, according to the Post.

Miller asked Justice to consider filing criminal charges against Neely for theft, contracting improprieties and other violations, the Post reported. Neither Neely’s attorney nor Justice provided comment.

The stolen items allegedly included an iPod, speakers, a GPS-tracking system, a camera and a Sony e-reader. An earlier inspector general’s report, as relayed by Federal Times, had declared 40 iPods, intended to be prizes for the agency’s Hats Off employee rewards program, were stolen from the Philip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.

Neely will assert his right to remain silent at this week’s hearings, the Associated Press reported Friday.