Good morning, Washington. The city is still reeling from the news that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted two employees from the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue on charges of embezzling over $16 million. It’s a staggering sum, and the Post cites officials who are calling it the largest theft ever uncovered in local government in the Washington area. The two women, Harriette Walters and Diane Gustus, are said to have used the money they stole to indulge in extravagant luxury items like furs, jewelry and designer handbags. Both of them were arrested yesterday and jailed overnight pending appearances today at U.S. District Court. As shocking as this news is, we can’t help but almost be impressed by the brazenness displayed by these two criminals. Federal agents reportedly turned up a $160,000 Bentley in their raids yesterday. A Bentley! Did they honestly think no one would notice something like that?

Women Being Groped Along Orange Line: Hey ladies, listen up. Six women have had their asses grabbed from behind while walking home from Metro stations on the Orange line since September, including four in the past week. Apparently, police don’t even think it’s being done by the same guy, but rather some kind of epidemic of grab-assing in Arlington County of late. So we’re curious: what exactly do men think is going to happen when you reach out and grab a strange woman’s butt in a public place? Do you think we’re going to turn around, say thank you very much, and take you home with us? Really?

Hospital Officially Sold: Greater Southeast Community Hospital was officially sold Wednesday to Specialty Hospitals of America, preventing it from closing. The sale came amid concerns voiced by some members of the D.C. Council that they were not told about the financial risks of the deal to the city, which put up $79 million, in enough time to make an informed decision.

Briefly Noted: Decision expected on ICC … Fire breaks out inside boat at Washington Harbor … Holmes Norton to target teens with HIV town hall meeting.

This Day in DCist: In 2006 we speculated about what the outcome of that year’s election might mean for D.C., and in 2005 we told you where you could go in the city to sample the year’s Beaujolais Nouveau.

Photo by dc_cowgirl

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