Energy Department nuclear waste chief Sam Brinton accused of stealing bag from Minneapolis airport

The Department of Energy’s recently appointed spent nuclear fuel manager has been charged with theft after allegedly taking someone else’s bag from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, court documents show. Sam Brinton, 35, who started work in June as deputy undersecretary for the Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposal, was seen on September 16 in surveillance footage taking a bag from a baggage carousel that resembled the one reported missing, according to an October court filing. Brinton, who uses the pronouns they/them, then appeared to remove “the bag tag and put the bag tag in the purse they were carrying” and “left the area at a rapid pace,” continues the folder. The complaint says Brinton initially told law enforcement, “If I had taken the wrong bag, I would be happy to return it, but I don’t have any clothes for another person,” adding: “It was my clothes when I opened the bag.” Brinton reportedly contacted airport authorities later to say they hadn’t been “completely honest” and “admitted to taking the bag blue,” explaining that they were “tired and took the suitcase thinking it was theirs.” Brinton has been on leave from the DOE for at least a month, according to reports. A hearing is scheduled in the case for on December 19. If convicted, Brinton faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.