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FBI agent 'spent drug money' on plastic surgery for his wife, Vegas trip for his girlfriend

Former Agent Scott Bowman also splashed out on two cars, new rims, tires and soundsystems.

Las Vegas Moyan_Brenn Moyan_Brenn

A FORMER FBI agent stole more than $100,000 in drug money and spent it on cars, new rims and sound systems, plastic surgery for his wife, and a weekend away in Las Vegas with his girlfriend.

That’s according to the indictment unsealed by the US Department of Justice today.

Agent Scott Bowman, 44, who was part of a special “Gang Impact Team” in California, allegedly falsified FBI reports to cover up his theft of cash confiscated from drug dealers.

When his lavish personal lifestyle caught the attention of colleagues, he allegedly passed it off as the result of an “advance” on an inheritance from his sick father.

And when federal officials began investigating the money, Bowman reportedly asked colleagues to lie for him, and forged their signatures.

Between June and September 2014, the FBI agent is accused of keeping and spending more than $100,000 in cash taken from several drug busts across America.

In one instance, in August, Bowman and his colleagues seized more than $360,000 in cash from a suspected heroin and cocaine trafficking operation in San Bernardino, California.

They packaged the money in evidence bags, and deposited them at an FBI facility nearby.

According to the indictment, Bowman came back on his own the next day, took “a substantial amount” of cash for himself, and repackaged the remaining money in new evidence bags.

bowmancars A Dodge Challenger and Toyota Scion FR-s, of the kind bought by Bowman. Death Writer / Motohide Miwa Death Writer / Motohide Miwa / Motohide Miwa

Then, over the following 24 hours, he allegedly went on something of a shopping spree, buying:

  • New rims and a new suede headline for his car, worth a total of $2,353
  • A 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S, worth $27,500

Ten days later, he spent $43,850 on a 2012 Dodge Challenger, and over the next couple of weeks, bought:

  • New speakers, rims and tires for the Toyota Scion, worth $9,612
  • A new soundsystem, muffler, rims and tires for the Dodge Challenger, worth $17,000

After indulging his apparent love for flash cars, Bowman also treated the women his life to some of the drug proceeds, according to the Justice Department.

In early September 2014, he spent $15,000 on cosmetic surgery for his wife, but around a week later, took his girlfriend on a weekend away in Las Vegas.

Using funds from a newly-opened bank account, he splashed out on a suite at a luxury hotel for the two of them, visited the casinos, and paid more than $1,000 for tickets to a boxing match.

PA-2666551 BRENNAN LINSLEY / PA BRENNAN LINSLEY / PA / PA

Despite Bowman’s allegedly falsifying FBI reports, supervisors began inquiring about the missing money.

With the net closing in, Bowman desperately tried to get a colleague to lie for him, forging his signature and emailing him an elaborate explanation he could present to internal investigators:

We had sealed money from the [San Bernardino] search warrant…I had sealed money from some other seizures…I brought it in, you stayed outside…
We left, I told you I mighta fucked up cause they put all the money together. That’s all. In case you’re asked.

With the criminal investigation pending, Bowman was fired from the FBI in March, after 10 years as an agent.

In a statement this evening, Assistant US Attorney General outlined the damage done by the actions of which Bowman is accused:

As alleged, former Agent Bowman put his own greed above the trust placed in him by the FBI and the American public.
Corrupt law enforcement agents not only compromise those investigations in which they are involved, but also damage the reputations of fellow law enforcement officers who are dedicated to public service and the protection of all Americans.

Bowman has been charged with several counts of conversion of property by a federal employee, obstruction of justice, money laundering, falsification of records and witness tampering.

Read: Special agents probing the Silk Road drug website allegedly helped themselves to Bitcoin>

Read: Could you pass the FBI fitness test?>

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18 Comments
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    Mute Anthony Cole
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:30 AM

    I’d say it was the plastic surgery that ‘raised a few eyebrows! Boom !

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    Mute Jack Dunne
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    Jun 5th 2015, 7:00 AM

    Tires?? Surely this article was cogged!!

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Jun 5th 2015, 9:50 AM

    I was in Vegas and I’m pretty sure he could have spent it better than that.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:58 AM

    “A FORMER FBI agent stole more than $100,000 in drug money and spent it on cars, new rims and sound systems, plastic surgery for his wife, and a weekend away in Las Vegas with his girlfriend.”

    What’s not to like about this fella ? Good man yerself Scott

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    Mute Onion Knight
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:32 AM

    Thanks for the final picture of the dollar notes Journal. For a second there I didn’t know what he stole.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:54 AM

    Actually I enjoy looking at pictures of dollas ! Well done journal person

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    Mute jason bourne
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    Jun 5th 2015, 1:39 AM

    Dolla dolla bill y’all

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    Mute david dickson
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:41 AM

    I don’t shop at Topaz.
    I won’t buy the Indo or Herald and won’t visit their websites.
    I won’t pay for water.
    What else can I boycott to punish the man whom taxpayers are picking up the bills for?

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    Mute Hermes
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:42 AM

    All 4 political Parties who are doing nothing to halt the installation of water meters is one suggestion …

    Probably a job for Catherine the Great at any rate – Can’t see a Judge lording it over Catherine – as some might put it !

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    Mute Jordan O'Byrne
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    Jun 5th 2015, 6:30 AM

    Upc and sky are installed by Denis. You could boycott the Internet and tellybox.

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    Mute An Observer
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:46 AM

    And Ireland just had to be involved with the FIFA story…sure why not?

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    Mute Hermes
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    Jun 5th 2015, 12:41 AM

    Drug money in Law Enforcement ?
    Well I never ,,,,

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    Mute Daniel Clifford
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    Jun 5th 2015, 6:28 AM

    Will Ferrell should play him in the movie :)

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    Mute Derek McCarthy
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    Jun 5th 2015, 7:59 AM

    Training day

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    Mute S.Brennan
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    Jun 5th 2015, 4:12 AM

    A pity it wasn’t stolen bank money

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    Mute Cathal Leonard
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    Jun 5th 2015, 8:30 AM

    So much for their profiling. Hardly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

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    Mute Bunny
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    Jun 5th 2015, 9:02 AM

    It sounds like an episode of The Shield.

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    Mute Bob Beaman
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    Jun 5th 2015, 7:53 AM

    So he was a “GIT” as I stroll across the room, quietly reaching for my coat

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