WASHINGTON, USA: Vivek Kundra, the new CIO of President Barack Obama, was pleaded guilty in a petty theft case in 1996 when he was 21 years old, a White House spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.

The confirmation follows a media report which said Vivek Kundra, now 34, pleaded guilty in Maryland District Court in Rockville to theft of less than $300 on August 27, 1996.

He was sentenced to supervised probation, 80 hours of community service within the following six months and fined $500, of which $400 was suspended.

"Thirteen years ago, Vivek committed a youthful indiscretion. He performed community service and we are satisfied that he fully resolved the matter," said Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro.

The White House was aware of Kundra's record when its lawyers vetted him, according to sources.

Kundra reinstated

Meanwhile, Vivek Kundra, who had gone on leave last Thursday, following the arrest of one of his former city employees on bribery and corruption charges, returned to duty on Tuesday as the federal CIO.

"Mr. Kundra has been informed that he is neither a subject nor a target of the investigation, and has been reinstated," said White House spokesman Nick Shapiro.

Do you think the recent developments would affect Kundra's future as President Obama's technology Czar?