Disgraced former Biden official Sam Brinton charged with grand larceny over theft of African designer’s luggage

Fox News reports Brinton's Maryland residence was searched on Wednesday for Tanzanian fashion designer Asya Khamsin's property, according to Washington, DC-based lawyer, Peter Hansen, who represents Khamsin. Brinton, who was fired from the Biden administration after being charged in two other unrelated baggage theft cases, was later arrested and was charged with grand larceny by Montgomery County Police Department and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police but the agencies gave no other details.

Hansen told Fox, "On March 9, 2018, her luggage was stolen from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In her bag were more than a dozen bespoke articles of clothing that she had designed, along with a number of other valuable items for her business."

"Asya Khamsin’s business was seriously damaged by this loss, which remained a mystery until she was recently alerted to photos of Sam Brinton wearing articles from her lost luggage. She thereafter contacted the authorities," Hansen said.

Khamsin announced in February 2023 that her luggage was taken at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in 2018. Khamsin said that in photos she had seen, Brinton appeared to be wearing custom-made pieces that were in her bags.

"Asya Khamsin, with aid of counsel, provided to the MWAA images of Mr. Brinton wearing her bespoke designs and lost jewelry, along with comparison photos showing them on models and Asya Khamsin herself," Hansen said. "It is our understanding that the MWAA, in conjunction with the Montgomery County police, executed a search of Mr. Brinton’s residence on Wednesday morning (May 17), and recovered a number of items matching the descriptions and images provided by Asya Khamsin."

"Mr. Brinton is expected to face prosecution, and Asya Khamsin hopes to retrieve the seized items from the MWAA very shortly," Hansen said. "Asya Khamsin is leaving her options open for a civil suit against Mr. Brinton, but has not yet filed any civil complaint."

In October 2022, Brinton was charged for allegedly stealing a Vera Bradley bag in September at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Brinton was later caught on video and charged with misdemeanor theft over taking luggage at Harry Reid International and Brinton pleaded "no contest."