Two sibling contractors convicted a decade ago for hacking into US State Department systems have once again been charged, this time for a comically hamfisted attempt to steal and destroy government records just minutes after being fired from their contractor jobs.

The Department of Justice on Thursday said that Muneeb Akhter and Sohaib Akhter, both 34, of Alexandria, Virginia, deleted databases and documents maintained and belonging to three government agencies. The brothers were federal contractors working for an undisclosed company in Washington, DC, that provides software and services to 45 US agencies. Prosecutors said the men coordinated the crimes and began carrying them out just minutes after being fired.

Using AI to cover up an alleged crime—what could go wrong?

On February 18 at roughly 4:55 pm, the men were fired from the company, according to an indictment unsealed on Thursday. Five minutes later, they allegedly began trying to access their employer’s system and access federal government databases. By then, access to one of the brothers’ accounts had already been terminated. The other brother, however, allegedly accessed a government agency’s database stored on the employer’s server and issued commands to prevent other users from connecting or making changes to the database. Then, prosecutors said, he issued a command to delete 96 databases, many of which contained sensitive investigative files and records related to Freedom of Information Act matters.

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Takoma Beverage Company has earned a major regional nod, making Eater DC’s newest list of “The 16 Best Coffee Shops Around DC.” The Takoma Park café, located at 6917 Laurel Avenue, was the only Maryland coffee shop to appear on the list.

While Montgomery County and the state as a whole are home to many beloved coffee spots, Takoma Bev Co. stood alone as Maryland’s representative, praised for its craft-driven approach, community focus, and strong neighborhood following.

The café is the creation of cousins Chris Brown and Seth Cook, whose longtime passion for specialty beverages inspired the business. According to Takoma Bev Co., the shop grew from a dream the pair shared for years after working together in a busy specialty café. They became immersed in the world of coffee and the stories behind it, as well as the social connection that cafés help foster.

Noticing that customers who appreciate high-quality coffee often seek the same craftsmanship in beer or cocktails, the cousins set out to build a space where people could relax, gather with friends, and enjoy beverages across multiple categories. That vision continues today, with Takoma Bev Co. offering a curated selection that celebrates both local and global craft traditions.

Before launching the business, Brown and Cook spent time living abroad, traveling the world, and experiencing how coffee, tea, wine, beer, and spirits create connection across cultures. They cite that universal sense of community as a guiding principle for the café. The team continues that mission by traveling to origin, meeting farmers and producers, and showcasing the depth of specialty beverages from around the world.

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