White House Information Officer Committed Petty Theft 12 Years Ago

Troubles for the man in charge of federal spending and policy on information technology continue to be revealed.

According to Maryland state records, Vivek Kundra, the White House chief information officer who took leave last Thursday -- one week after being named to the position, pleaded guilty to a petty theft charge 12 years ago.

Kundra, who was formerly the D.C. technology officer, received supervised probation before judgment in 1997 for pleading guilty to a theft of less than $300. He was also fined $500, which was lowered to $100 after the rest was suspended.

Ben LaBolt, a White House spokesman, declined to comment on the newest revelation.

Kundra left his post last week after the FBI raided his former office and arrested a District of Columbia employee and a technology consultant who were later arraigned on bribery and corruption charges.

The White House said it was notified in advance of the search at Kundra's former digs. While the raid was happening at his old office, Kundra was giving a speech elsewhere on his new goals for government contracting.

Kundra was not a target of the D.C. investigation, a source told FOX News.

But this latest revelation raises more questions about the White House vetting process, which has failed to expose embarrassing problems that have torpedoed several nominees. Among them was former Sen. Tom Daschle, who withdrew his nomination to be secretary of health and human services after it was learned he owed $146,000 in unpaid taxes and penalties.

Unlike Daschle's would-be Cabinet seat, Kundra's post is not subject to Senate confirmation.