Garrison Kenneth Courtney, formerly a public affairs officer for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), pleaded guilty on Thursday to defrauding companies of millions of dollars by pretending to be an officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

At least 12 companies were defrauded out of more than $4.4 million due to Courtney’s false posing as a CIA officer. Courtney approached these companies and told them he was part of a task force with the CIA seeking to enhance intelligence gathering capabilities. He told these companies that they must hire and pay him to create a “commercial cover” to protect his alleged position with the CIA, and that the companies would be reimbursed by the government. In truth, Courtney had never been employed by the CIA.

Courtney carried his lie to other government officials as well to convince them to further his legitimacy. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2020.