News Releases

COVID-19

• Veteran’s Affairs Respiratory Therapist Charged with Stealing COVID-19-related Medical Supplies and Selling Them on eBay
  Between January and June 2020, the defendant allegedly stole and sold ventilators, bronchoscopes, and other respiratory support equipment.
• Medical Technology Company President Charged in Scheme to Defraud Investors and Health Care Benefit Programs in Connection with COVID-19 Testing
  The president of a California-based medical technology company was charged in a complaint unsealed today in the Northern District of California, in connection with his alleged participation in schemes to mislead investors, to manipulate the company’s stock price and to conspire to commit health care fraud in connection with the submission of over $69 million in false and fraudulent claims for allergy and COVID-19 testing.
• Georgia Man Arrested for Attempting to Defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs in a Multimillion-Dollar COVID-19 Scam
  Christopher Parris, a 39-year-old Atlanta, Georgia resident, was arrested and charged in federal court in the District of Columbia with fraud for attempting to sell millions of nonexistent respirator masks to the Department of Veterans Affairs in exchange for large upfront payments.
• Georgia Man Arrested for Orchestrating Scheme to Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs Related to COVID-19 and Genetic Cancer Testing
  A Georgia man will appear in court today for his alleged role in a conspiracy to defraud federally funded and private health care benefit programs by submitting fraudulent testing claims for COVID-19 and genetic cancer screenings.

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• Medical Equipment Company Handicare USA, LLC, Agrees to Pay $800,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Action
  Handicare USA (doing business as Prism Medical Services), agreed to pay the United States $800,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims to the Department of Veteran Affairs (“VA”) in the performance of various contracts to install patient ceiling lifts in VA hospitals.
• Michigan Woman Sentenced For Defrauding U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs Of Over $1.7 Million In Benefits
  A Michigan woman was sentenced on December 4, 2020, to three years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to carrying out a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of more than $1.7 million in veterans benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
• Workrite Companies to Pay $7.1 Million to Settle Alleged Furniture Overcharges
  Ergonomic office furniture maker Workrite Ergonomics LLC, a Delaware company, and its parent, Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. (collectively, Workrite), have agreed to pay $7.1 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that they overcharged the federal government for office furniture under General Services Administration (GSA) contracts, the Department of Justice announced on December 3, 2020.
• Federal Indictment Charges Buncombe County Man For Receiving Veteran Benefits Based On Fraudulent Service-Connected Disabilities
  U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced on December 2, 2020, that John Paul Cook, 57, of Alexander, N.C. is facing multiple federal charges for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA) by receiving veteran benefits based on fraudulent service-connected disabilities.
• Florida Attorney Admits Role in $7.5 Million Bank Extortion Scheme
  A Florida attorney, on December 1, 2020, admitted his role in a scheme to extort $7.5 million from a California bank, Attorney for the United States Rachael A. Honig announced. Richard L. Williams, 73, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with conspiracy to transmit an interstate communication with the intent to extort.
• For-Profit Trade School Owner Charged With Defrauding VA, Student Veterans
  The owner of a for-profit trade school has been charged with defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and student veterans, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
• Physician indicted on assault charges
  Dr. Kenneth C. Ramdat, a physician employed at the Louis A. Johnson VA Hospital in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is facing federal criminal charges. Ramdat, 65, of Silver Springs, Maryland, was indicted on two counts of “Abusive Sexual Contact” and two counts of “Simple Assault.” Ramdat is accused of touching two staff women’s breasts without permission in two separate incidents in August 2019 and October 2019 at the hospital in Harrison County.
• Raeford Woman Had Initial Appearance on Wire and Mail Fraud Charges
  A Raeford woman self-surrendered on charges of wire and mail fraud. According to court documents, Tracey Cathey McNeill, Age 50, devised a scheme and artifice to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management by obtaining disability, retirement, and life insurance payments issued by those agencies for the benefit of W.R., an individual in McNeill’s care at the time of the alleged scheme. The documents allege that between April 2015 and February 2017, McNeill received over $90,000 in benefits from the agencies.
• Enfield Man Charged with Defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs to Receive Benefits
  John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and James M. Noble, Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Northeast Region, announced that DERRICK BREWER, 35, of Enfield, was arrested on October 29, 2020 on a criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to his submission of altered documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”).
• Owner of Local Technical Training School Sentenced for Defrauding the VA out of almost $30 Million in G.I. Bill Education Benefits
  Nimesh Shah, owner of Blue Star Learning, a technical training school in San Diego, was sentenced in federal court on October 27, 2020 to 45 months in custody as a result of a multi-year scheme that defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs out of almost $30 million in Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits.
• New Kensington Man Indicted for Misappropriating VA Beneficiary Funds
  A resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of misappropriation of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") beneficiary funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced on October 27, 2020.
• U.S. Navy Service Members Sentenced in Sweeping Corruption and Insurance Fraud Scheme
  Two U.S. Navy service members caught in a sweeping corruption case involving false claims to the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance Program were sentenced in federal court on October 23, 2020.
• Bergen County Man Charged with Conspiring to Steal More Than $7.8 Million Worth of HIV Medication from Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  A Bergen County, New Jersey, man was charged for his role in stealing prescription HIV medication from the pharmacy of the East Orange VA Medical Center, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on October 7, 2020.
• Rochester Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Chinappi's Gun Store Burglary And Lying About Military Medals
  U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on October 7, 2020, that Marcos D. Guzman, 36, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and fraudulent representations about the receipt of military medals, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Guzman was also ordered to pay $41,500 in restitution to August Chinappi, former owner of Chinappi’s Firearms & Supplies.
• Trucking School Owner Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $4.1 Million in Veterans’ Education Benefits
  The owner of a San Fernando Valley trucking school was sentenced on October 5, 2020, to 48 months for leading a sophisticated scheme to defraud the United States Department of Veterans Affairs out of more than $4 million in education benefits involving over 100 veterans who did not attend classes.
• Spring Hill Man Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Funds
  David Naylor (58, Spring Hill) has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
• Former Veterans Affairs Doctor Pleads Guilty to Three Civil Rights Offenses
  A doctor of osteopathic medicine who formerly worked at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty on September 17, 2020, to three counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law by sexually abusing them.
• Former Veterans Affairs Doctor Pleads Guilty to Three Civil Rights Offenses
  A doctor of osteopathic medicine who formerly worked at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty on September 17, 2020, to three counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law by sexually abusing them.
• Buffalo Man Sentenced For Assaulting A VA Police Officer
  U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on September 16, 2020, that Darnell Curry, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer, was sentenced to serve six months in prison by U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr.
• Senior Veterans Affairs Official in Philadelphia Indicted for Soliciting Bribes
  United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Ralph Johnson, 54, of Kinzers, PA, former Chief of Environmental Management Services at the Corporal Michael J. Cresenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment for soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with contracts and purchase orders at the medical center.
• Former VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $70,000 Using Mobile Payment Application
  A former Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) employee was sentenced on September 14, 2020 for embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds. Michael Donaher, 41, of Lakeville, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served (approximately one day), three years of supervised release with the first six months to be served in a sober house, and ordered to pay $69,720 in restitution. The government recommended a sentence of one year and one day incarceration. In May 2020, Donaher pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records after being arrested and charged in January.
• VA Hospital Nurse Charged with Using her Position to Obtain Painkillers
  A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced on September 11, 2020.
• Las Vegas Resident Pleads Guilty To Fraudulently Obtaining Nearly $1.2 Million In Benefits From The Social Security Administration And Department Of Veterans Affairs
  A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty in federal court on September 9, 2020 to fraudulently obtaining nearly $1.2 million in Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
• Springfield Woman Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud and Tax Evasion
  On September 2, 2020, a Springfield woman who owned several durable medical equipment stores in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison for defrauding six health insurance plans of approximately $1.3 million and for evading $99,000 in federal income taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
• Florida Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening A VA Employee
  U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on August 19, 2020, that Michael F. Hanley, 49, of Clearwater, Florida, pleaded guilty, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, to threatening a federal employee. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $100,000 fine.
• Max Prison Sentence + Restitution For Discharged Veteran Who Faked Military Honors And Combat-Related Mental Health Illness To Claim VA Benefits
  A veteran who reaped federal monetary benefits for faking a mental health condition and who falsely claimed to have earned two of the highest honors bestowed for military service was sentenced to the top of his sentencing guideline range and will pay restitution for his crimes, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICER INDICTED FOR UNAUTHORIZED LEADS AND OHLEG SEARCHES AND TAMPERING WITH RECORDS
  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “This man was an entrusted employee who abused his position to obtain law enforcement data on coworkers and acquaintances for his own personal non-law enforcement purposes.” Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announces that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned a 24 count indictment against Horace Ryan Greene of Springfield, age 54, for 6 counts of Unauthorized Use of the Law Enforcement Automated Database System (LEADS), 15 counts of Unauthorized Use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG), and 3 counts of Tampering with Records. Greene has worked for the Columbus VA Ambulatory Care Center as a police officer since January of 2017. “It is alleged that between June of 2017 through October of 2019, Greene conducted unauthorized searches to acquire personal information on other Columbus VA police officers and VA employees, as well as non-VA employees,” O’Brien stated. O’Brien commended the VA Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigations Division, the VA Office of Security and Law Enforcement, and the Columbus VA Police for their investigation of this case. Arraignment for Greene is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26th at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2A at 345 S. High Street in downtown Columbus.
• North Country Man Sentenced for Making a False Statement to the VA
  Alex Cheney, age 55, of Moriah, New York, was sentenced on August 11, 2020, to 3 years of probation and 100 hours of community service for making a false statement to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to receive Individual Unemployability benefits.
• Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Firearms At Veterans Affairs Facility
  United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, announced on July 30, 2020, that Pensacola resident Howell E. Camp, 58, pled guilty to carrying a concealed firearm and possession of firearms on federal property, stemming from a May 6 incident at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola. Camp admitted that he illegally possessed a 5.56 millimeter Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 millimeter Smith & Wesson pistol while at the federal facility.
• Former Cemetery Owner Sentenced For Defrauding Customers
  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Arminda Martin, age 49, formerly of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 28, 2020, to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release, by Chief District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, for conspiring to commit mail fraud. The sentence represents a downward adjustment of approximately 32 months to account for prison time that Martin has served for a related fraud scheme in Ohio.
• Atlanta man arraigned for embezzling over $200,000 from his disabled father’s VA account
  William Dorsey, Jr., has been arraigned for embezzling over $200,000 from his father’s beneficiary account funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA.)
• Oakland County Woman Accused of Stealing $70,000 from Elderly Victim
  An Oakland County woman was arraigned recently on multiple charges after she allegedly stole more than $70,000 from an elderly veteran. Margaret Risdon, 60, of Bloomfield Hills, was arraigned July 16 in 48th District Court before Magistrate Andra Richardson on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $50,000 and $100,000, a 15-year felony, and two counts of failing to file taxes, both five-year felonies.
• OIG Statement on Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia
  VA Inspector General Michael Missal, US Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia Bill Powell, and other law enforcement partners announced today that Reta Mays, of Harrison County, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of seven veterans at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mays, a nursing assistant, also pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit murder involving the death of an eighth veteran. Mays admitted to administering insulin to several patients with the intent to cause their deaths.
• Former VA Hospital Nursing Assistant Admits to Murdering Seven Veterans and Assault with Intent to Commit Murder of an Eighth
  A former nursing assistant pled guilty on July 14, 2020, in federal court here to murder and assault charges in the deaths of eight veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Clarksburg, West Virginia, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
• Universal Health Services, Inc. to Pay $117 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced on July 10, 2020, that Universal Health Services, Inc. and UHS of Delaware, Inc. (together, UHS) have agreed to pay $117 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act for billing for medically unnecessary inpatient behavioral health services and failing to provide adequate and appropriate services. UHS, which is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, owns and provides management and administrative services to nearly 200 acute care inpatient psychiatric hospitals and residential psychiatric and behavioral treatment facilities nationwide.
• Montana Psychiatrist Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of an Opioid
  A Montana psychiatrist who admitted to unlawfully prescribing and abusing an opioid was sentenced on July 7, 2020, to five years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $4,000, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. In addition, as part of his sentence the psychiatrist cannot prescribe any controlled substance during his five years of probation.
• Man Who Shot Firearm Inside West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Committed to 25 Years in Custody
  On July 6, 2020, federal district judge Kenneth A. Marra committed a man who fired gunshots inside a West Palm Beach VA Medical Center to the custody of the U.S. Attorney General for 25 years of mental health care and treatment at a suitable medical facility. The commitment is a provisional sentence for sixty-year old defendant Larry Ray Bon, a former West Palm Beach resident. If during Bon’s commitment, it is determined that he no longer needs treatment, Bon will reappear in federal court, where a judge will sentence him to a federal prison term of between 12.5 and 25 years. Lawyers for the U.S. and Bon jointly recommended this provisional sentence arrangement for the defendant.
• Deltona Man Sentenced For Theft Of Government Funds
  U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Bobby Morlen (54, Deltona) to two years in federal prison for theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $131,457.16, the amount of proceeds from the offense, and ordered Morlen to pay restitution. A federal jury had found Morlen guilty on January 22, 2020.
• Owner Of Fraudulent Telemarketing Company Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
  Samuel Friedman (47, Pasco County) pleaded guilty July 2, 2020, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Friedman owned and operated a telemarketing operation known as SKF Enterprises, LLC. SKF targeted the Medicare-aged population to generate orders for durable medical equipment (“DME”) and cancer genetic (“CGx”) testing. SKF’s call center employees were trained to follow a script of triage questions designed to upsell DME and CGx testing to Medicare beneficiaries. SKF then packaged this information into the format of a prescription for doctors’ approval under the guise of “telemedicine,” but no proper telemedicine occurred. Rather, doctors’ signatures were secured in exchange for bribes and kickbacks. During the scheme, Friedman bribed numerous doctors, through fraudulent “telemedicine” companies, to sign and to approve thousands of DME and CGx-testing orders, regardless of medical necessity. Once signed by doctors, Friedman sold the prescriptions to client-conspirators for submission to Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The conspirators attempted to conceal their illegal kickback relationships using sham boilerplate marketing agreements. For these illegal sales, conspirators paid SKF more than $3.4 million.
• Former Cemetery Owner Sentenced For Defrauding Customers
  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Theodore Martin, age 57, formerly of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced June 30, 2020 to 13 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release by Chief United States District Court Judge John E. Jones III, for conspiring to commit mail fraud. The sentence represents a downward adjustment of approximately twenty-eight months to account for prison time that Martin has served for a related fraud scheme in Ohio.
• “Compound King” and Wife Sentenced in $21 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme; Fugitive Sought
  A Houston pharmacist and his wife were sentenced June 25, 2020, for their roles in an approximately $21.8 million Department of Labor (DOL) - Office of Workers Compensation Programs and Federal Employees Compensation Act fraud scheme.
• Former Veterans Affairs Police Officer Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison For Criminal Civil Rights Violation And Making False Entries In A Report
  U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew on June 24, 2020, sentenced Norman Nicholson (57, Largo) to 24 months in federal prison for depriving an individual of his Fourth Amendment right to a reasonable search and seizure under color of law and one count of knowingly making false entries in a report with the intent to obstruct an investigation within the jurisdiction of a federal agency.
• Bhaskar Patel Sentenced in Kickback and Bribery Scheme in Connection with Government Contracts
  The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Bhaskar Patel, 69, of Horseheads, New York, was sentenced June 19, 2020, in federal district court in connection with a kickback and bribery scheme conducted in connection with federal energy savings performance contracts (“ESPCs”). While employed by Schneider Electric Buildings America (“Schneider”), Patel unlawfully solicited and accepted $2,536,119.19 in bribes and kickbacks associated with ESPCs from subcontractors to Schneider. According to the Information filed in the case, the scheme ran from June 6, 2011 through April 19, 2016, involved dozens of bribes and kickbacks from eight subcontractors to Schneider, and included amounts ranging from $6,231 to $136,990.19.
• Owners of Groveland Companies Sentenced for Defrauding Government Contracting Programs
  Three men were sentenced June 17, 2020, in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to defraud the United States and mail fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain government contracts.
• VA Employee Sentenced For Orchestrating $19 Million Corruption Scheme
  United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Joseph Prince, age 61, of Aurora, Colorado was sentenced yesterday to serve 192 months (16 years) in federal prison for health care fraud, conspiracy, payment of illegal kickbacks and gratuities, money laundering, and conflict of interest charges. Prince was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and pay $18,777,134.68 in restitution to the Veteran’s Health Administration. Prince, who appeared at the sentencing hearing free on bond, was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion.
• Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Assaulting A VA Police Officer
  U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Darnell Curry, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• Oklahoma Contractors to Pay $2.8 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Concerning Fraudulently Obtained Small Business Contracts
  Tulsa, Oklahoma-based contractor the Ross Group Construction Corporation (Ross Group), and its corporate affiliates, have agreed to pay over $2.8 million to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by improperly obtaining federal set-aside contracts reserved for disadvantaged small businesses, the Justice Department announced today.
• Suspects Arraigned on Charges for Stealing $470,000 in Public Benefits by Defrauding VA, Michigan Treasury
  Two people were arraigned on charges recently for defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Michigan Department of Treasury out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by submitting fraudulent documents in support of claims for VA survivor benefits and Michigan Unclaimed Property. A third individual has been charged in connection with this fraud but has not yet been arraigned.
• Federal Indictment For Pensacola Man Accused Of Possessing Firearms at Veterans Affairs Facility
  Today a federal grand jury has indicted a Pensacola man for the possession of firearms, including a concealed firearm, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Joint Ambulatory Care Clinic in Pensacola. The three-count indictment alleges that Pensacola resident Howell E. Camp, 58, illegally possessed a 5.56 millimeter Del-Ton Incorporated rifle and a 9 millimeter Smith & Wesson pistol at the federal facility. It is alleged that Camp possessed these firearms with the intent to commit a crime on May 6, 2020.
• Former Chief Of Cardiology At Palo Alto VA Hospital Indicted For Sexual Battery Of Subordinate Doctor
  A federal grand jury in San Jose indicted Dr. John Giacomini for Abusive Sexual Contact, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge James K. Wahleithner of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, and Chief of Police Martin Sizemore of the Veterans Affairs Police Service, Palo Alto Health Care Division.
• Former Veterans Affairs Doctor Indicted on Multiple Civil Rights Charges
  A federal grand jury in Charleston, West Virginia, today returned a seven-count indictment charging Dr. Jonathan Yates, 51, with federal civil rights and abusive sexual contact offenses. Yates, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who formerly worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, is charged with five counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, and two counts of abusive sexual contact, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2244(b). He was previously charged in a criminal complaint with depriving a veteran of his civil rights under color of law.
• Central New York Construction Companies and Others to Pay Nearly $4.5 Million to Resolve Allegations of Fraud Involving Contracting Opportunities Meant for Disabled Veterans
  Northland Associates Inc., its president James Tyler, The Diverse Construction Group LLC, and their bonding agent, Rose & Kiernan Inc., have agreed to pay the United States $4,470,000 to resolve allegations that they fraudulently exploited contracting opportunities reserved for veteran-owned small businesses and small businesses operating in historically underutilized business zones.
• Guaranteed Rate to Pay $15 Million to Resolve Allegations It Knowingly Caused False Claims to Government Mortgage Loan Programs
  Guaranteed Rate Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $15.06 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) by knowingly violating material program requirements when it originated and underwrote mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Justice announced today. Guaranteed Rate is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with branches across the United States.
• VA Employee Agrees to Plead Guilty to Embezzling $70,000 Using Mobile Payment Application
  A Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) employee has agreed to plead guilty to embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds.
• MiMedx Group Inc. Agrees to Pay $6.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of False Commercial Pricing Disclosures
  A biopharmaceutical company based in Marietta, Georgia that manufactures and sells human tissue grafts, will pay $6.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false commercial pricing disclosures to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Justice Department announced today.
• Former Veterans Affairs Doctor Charged with Civil Rights Offense
  A doctor of osteopathic medicine who formerly worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, has been charged in a criminal complaint with depriving a veteran of his civil rights under color of law.
• Former Co-Owner and COO of Pharmacy Pleads Guilty in Prescription Drug Billing Scheme
  An additional defendant pled guilty in a long-running investigation into a prescription drug-billing scheme involving a Haleyville, Ala.-based pharmacy, Northside Pharmacy doing business as Global Compounding Pharmacy.
• Former Veterans Affairs Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Civil Rights Violation and Making False Entries in a Report
  A former VA police officer pleaded guilty to one count of depriving an individual of his Fourth Amendment right to a reasonable search and seizure under the color of law and one count of knowingly making false entries in a report with the intent to obstruct an investigation within the jurisdiction of a federal agency.
• Indictment: Arizona Veteran Committed Fraud To Obtain Government Contracts
  A Marine veteran was indicted on charges she committed fraud to obtain government contracts for a business in Overland Park that sold commercial flooring and furniture.
• Former Operator Of Minnesota VA Outpatient Clinics Agrees To Pay $1.85 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Concerning Veterans’ Wait Times
  The Justice Department announced that Sterling Medical Associates Inc. (Sterling) will pay $1.85 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that it failed to schedule veterans’ medical appointments timely at two outpatient clinics in Minnesota, resulting in the submission of false claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• U.S. Attorney Sues Spinal Device Company and Its Executives for Allegations that they Paid Kickbacks to Surgeons
  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a civil health care fraud complaint against SpineFrontier, Inc. (SpineFrontier); Impartial Medical Experts, LLC (IME); Kingsley Chin, the founder and CEO of SpineFrontier; Aditya Humad, the CFO of SpineFrontier; Vanessa Dudley, Chin’s wife and the Business Administrator of IME; and other entities Chin owns and controls.
• Lecanto Medical Biller Sentenced In Large Healthcare Fraud Scheme
  U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Teresa Johnson (53, Lecanto) to five years’ probation, with four months of home detention, for conspiring with a local doctor to commit health care fraud. As part of her sentence, the court also ordered Johnson to pay restitution to the defrauded federal health care programs and, entered a money judgment of more than $5,700, representing a portion of Johnson’s health care fraud proceeds.
• Former VA Podiatry Chief Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison for Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Anthony Lazzarino, 69, former Chief of Podiatry for the Veterans Affairs’ Northern California Health Care System, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to six years and six months in prison for health care fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
• Part-owner and chief financial officer of Ayudando Guardians sentenced to 20 years in prison for $11 million financial fraud scheme
  A federal judge in Santa Fe, New Mexico sentenced Sharon A. Moore, 64, of Albuquerque to 20 years in federal prison on March 2 for conspiracy and other financial crimes committed in connection with the operation of Ayudando Guardians, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Albuquerque that previously provided guardianship, conservatorship, and financial management to hundreds of people with special needs. Meanwhile, the judge issued bench warrants for Susan K. Harris, 73, and William S. Harris, 58, of Albuquerque after they failed to appear with Moore for their scheduled sentencing hearing.
• Former VA Podiatry Chief Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison for Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Anthony Lazzarino, 69, former Chief of Podiatry for the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Northern California Health Care System, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to six years and six months in prison for health care fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
• Former Veterans Affairs Official Sentenced To 18 Months In Federal Prison For Role In Bribery Scheme To Rig Federal Contracts
  United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official Dwane Nevins, age 55, was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for corruption offenses. The FBI’s Denver Field Office and the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Central Field Office, joined in today’s announcement.
• Joint Audit of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Efforts to Achieve Electronic Health Record Interoperability
  The VA Office of Inspector General and and the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General plan to begin in February 2020 the joint audit of DoD's and VA's efforts to achieve electronic health record interoperability. The objective of the joint audit is to determine the extent to which the actions taken by VA and the DoD in acquiring and implementing a common, commercial electronic health record system and supporting architecture will achieve interoperability among the Departments and with external health care providers.
• Attorney General James Announces Sentencing Of Man Who Stole Money Intended For Veterans
  Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of Michael Erber (“Erber”), 62, of Brooklyn for stealing money intended to pay the rent of homeless New York City veterans from four Community Based Organizations.
• Michigan Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Out of $1.7 Million in Veterans Benefits
  Claudia Ann Merrill, 61, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs out of more than $1.75 million in veterans benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
• VA Employee Charged with Embezzling $70,000 Using Mobile Payment Application
  A Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) employee was charged in federal court in Boston with embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds.
• Wisconsin Accountant Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Obtain Over $260 Million in Small Business Contracts
  Mark F. Spindler, a certified public accountant, was found guilty of conspiring with Brian L. Ganos in a scheme to use front companies to obtain set-aside contracts intended for small businesses led by service-disabled veterans and disadvantaged individuals.
• Florida Academy Agrees To Pay $512,000 To Resolve Misrepresentation Claims Impacting Veterans’ Post-9/11 Tuition Subsidy Program
  United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Florida Academy has agreed to pay $512,500 to the United States to resolve allegations that it made misrepresentations to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to maintain its eligibility to receive VA funding under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• Federal Jury Convicts Deltona Man Of Theft Of Government Funds
  Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Bobby Morlen (54, Deltona) guilty of two counts of theft of government funds. Morlen faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2020.
• Matthew Courtney to Pay $700,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that Matthew Courtney will pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act.
• Huntington Man Sentenced for Illegally Accessing Veterans' Records
  A Huntington man was sentenced to six months in prison for illegally accessing the medical records of six veterans, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Jeffrey Miller, 40, a former Veterans Benefits Administration employee, was also sentenced to one year of supervised release.
• Forty-Four Additional Defendants Served and Accused of Defrauding Government and Insurance Companies by Falsifying Patient Records for Cataract Surgeries
  Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that an additional 44 summonses have been served on current or former employees of the Kokopelli Eye Institute in the case against Dr. Michael Lee Ham, an eye surgeon with Kokopelli who was recently indicted for an alleged fraudulent billing scheme.
• Former Vice President of Insys Therapeutics Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy
  The former Vice President of Managed Markets for Insys Therapeutics was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in conspiring to bribe practitioners to prescribe fentanyl-based pain medication, often when medically unnecessary.
• Owners of Groveland Companies Charged for Defrauding Government Contracting Programs
  Three men were charged in federal court in Boston with conspiracy to defraud the United States and mail fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain government contracts.
• Caldwell University Agrees To Pay More Than $4.8 Million To Resolve Allegations Of Violating False Claims Act
  Caldwell University has agreed to pay the United States more than $4.8 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a fraudulent scheme to defraud a federal education benefit program, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
• Fifteen Individuals Charged for Roles in Fraud and Bribery Scheme at Two South Florida VA Hospitals
  Fifteen people including VA employees at VA Medical Centers located in West Palm Beach and Miami, Florida, and vendors were charged in a scheme that alleged that in exchange for cash bribes and kickback payments, medical center employees, using government credit cards, ordered medical and other hospital supplies through corrupt vendors.
• Detroit Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Impersonating Deceased Relatives and Stealing More than $800,000 in Government Benefits
  Man sentenced to prison for stealing $800,000 in government benefits from the VA and OPM. The scheme involved the theft of federal pension and VA benefits from erroneous benefits to a deceased person over 14 years.
• Four Georgia Residents Charged in South Florida With Participating in a Scheme to Defraud Retirees and Federal Benefit Programs
  Four people charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud for their roles in a scheme to scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration by fraudulently redirecting retirees’ benefits to accounts controlled by them.
• Former Bedford VA Nursing Assistant Sentenced for Making False Statements
  A former VA nursing assistant who plead guilty to two counts of making false statements was sentenced to one year of probation.
• Owner of Local Technical Training School Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Department of Veterans Affairs of $29 Million in Education Benefits
  The owner of a technical training school pled guilty to his role in a scheme to defraud the VA of education benefits.
• Former VA Employee And Two Family Members Indicted With Defrauding Veterans Healthcare In The Villages
  Former VA employee and two family members indicted with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud charges.
• Contract Officer and Government Contractor Arrested on Bribery and Wire Fraud Charges
  A former VA employee and a government contractor were arrested on bribery and wire fraud charges regarding Small Business Association “set-aside” contracts with the VA.
• 16-Count Superseding Indictment Charges Owner Of Pain MD And Three Medical Professionals In Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy
  Three people charged with 16 counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
• Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Fentanyl At Veterans Affairs Facility In Bath, NY
  Resident at the Bath VA Medical Center Pleads Guilty To Possessing Fentanyl.
• President of Puerto Rican-based Engineering Company Pleads Guilty to Procurement Fraud and Kickbacks Related to Federal Courthouse Repairs in St. Croix
  President of a Puerto Rico-based company pleaded guilty to providing kickbacks in connection with federal government subcontracts.
• Health Care Fraud And Opioid Enforcement Action Brings Multiple Charges Across The Middle District Of Florida
  The Department of Justice announced multiple charges across Florida from their Medicare Fraud Strike Force related to various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care benefit programs, and in various conspiracies to illicitly obtain and distribute oxycodone and other controlled substances.
• VA Office of Inspector General and Department of Justice Announce VA Health Care Fraud Task Force
  The VA OIG and Department of Justice announced the establishment of a VA Health Care Fraud Task Force to combat fraud in VA’s expanding health care programs. The Task Force initially will focus on investigating and prosecuting health care fraud in VA’s growing Community Care program, under which eligible veterans may receive health care from a private provider in their local community (rather than from a VA medical facility).
• Texas Healthcare Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 58 Individuals
  A Justice Department health care fraud operation charged 58 people for their involvement in Medicare fraud schemes. The VA OIG was part of this team with our law enforcement partners.
• Maryland Residents Facing Federal Charges For Stealing Over $820,000 In V.A. Benefits Fraud Scheme
  Several Maryland residents were charged with conspiracy and theft of government property for their roles in a scheme to file fraudulent documents with the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain benefits.
• Former Union Treasurer Sentenced To 2 Years In Federal Prison For Embezzling At Least $82,000 In Union Funds
  Former VA employee who was a local union treasurer was sentenced to prison for her part in a scheme to embezzle funds from the union.
• Woodstock Man Who Posed as Deceased Sister to Steal VA Benefits Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison
  A woman was sentenced to prison for staling benefits from the VA.
• OIG Statement on Beckley VA Medical Center
  Inspector General Michael J. Missal releases statement on the Beckley VA Medical Center, West Virginia
• Nursing Assistant Receives Jail Sentence for Stealing from Wheelchair-Bound Veteran
  A former VA nurse was sentenced to prison for using an ATM card to steal money from a veteran.
• OIG Statement on Clarksburg VA
  Inspector General Michael J. Missal releases statement on the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Fayetteville Doctor Arrested On Charges Of Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, Making False Statements, And Involuntary Manslaughter
  A former VA pathologist was arrested and charged with twelve counts of wire fraud, twelve counts of mail fraud, four counts of making false statements in certain matters, and three counts of involuntary manslaughter.
• Former VA Employee Sentenced to Max in Fake Invoice Scheme
  A former VA employee was convicted and ordered to prison for conspiring to commit fraud against the VA.
• Man Pays VA Employee $1 Million in Illegal Gratuities
  A man pled guilty to paying illegal gratuities to a VA employee and in exchange received referrals for his company that then billed the VA for ineligible home health services.
• Connecticut Man Charged With Possessing Fentanyl At Bath NY Veterans Affairs Facility
  A man was charged with possession of fentanyl on VA property.
• Veterans Affairs Nurse Sentenced for Drug Distribution
  Former VA nurse sentenced after he pled guilty to one count of Obtaining a Controlled Substance through Forgery, Fraud, Deception, and Subterfuge.
• San Diego Contractor Sentenced For Defrauding Federal Agencies, Agrees to Pay $3.2 Million to Resolve Civil Allegations
  A contractor and his company was sentenced for fraudulently obtaining service-disabled veteran-owned small business contracts.
• Perry County Woman Sentenced For Role In Defrauding Disabled Veteran
  A veteran’s brother and his wife, appointed as the veteran’s fiduciary and legal custodian, were sentenced for fraud.
• Altoona Woman Charged with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud
  Former VA nurse indicted for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
• Man Who Pretended To Be Blind Sentenced To Year In Prison After Collecting Nearly $1.3 Million In Veterans Affairs Disability
  A man who defrauded the VA sentenced to 12 months in prison and to pay $1,273,180.44 in restitution for a benefits fraud scheme that lasted 35 years.
• VA Medical Center Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Hospital Prescriptions
  A former VA nurse was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing morphine and other opioid prescriptions.
• Woodstock Man Admits Posing as Deceased Sister to Steal VA Benefits
  A man plead guilty to posing as his deceased sister to steal VA benefits.
• Michigan man charged with fraudulently obtaining nearly $12 million in VA construction contracts in Cleveland and Michigan by falsely claiming the company receiving the contracts was owned by a disabled veteran
  A man was charged with fraudulently obtaining nearly $12 million in government Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business construction contracts by falsely claiming the company receiving the contracts was owned by a disabled veteran.
• Detroit Man Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Stealing More than $280,000 in Government Benefits
  A man was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison for stealing more than two-hundred and eighty thousand dollars in monetary benefits from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Official Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for $2 Million Bribery Scheme Involving Program for Disabled Military Veterans
  A former VA official was sentenced for a scheme involving bribes to defraud the VA of education benefits.
• Pentec Health, Inc. to Pay $17 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  Pentec Health, Inc. agreed to pay $17 million to settle Medicare and other government healthcare program false claims allegations regarding excessive amounts of product waste during compounding of prescriptions and waving patient copayments.
• McAllen Woman Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Kickback Conspiracy
  A woman was charged in a kickback scheme for recruiting physicians to write prescriptions for expensive compound drugs to be filled by a pharmacy, and for which the pharmacy would bill federal health care programs.
• Man charged with making threats and assaulting officers
  A man was charged with making threats against a federal employee and assault of federal officers.
• Columbia Falls man admits government benefits fraud
  A man pleaded guilty VA and Social Security Administration disability benefits fraud.
• U.S. Army Veteran And Former Government Employee Indicted For Wire Fraud
  A man was indicted for wire fraud related to a disability benefits scheme to defraud the VA, Social Security Administration, and Department of Labor.
• Former Nurse at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Indicted on Charges of Fraudulently Obtaining Controlled Substances for His Own Purposes
  A former VA nurse was indicted on charges of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances.
• VA Nurse Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining and Tampering with Opioid Prescriptions
  A VA nurse pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining morphine and other opioid prescriptions from the medical center where he worked.
• VA Medical Center Nurse Pleads Guilty for Stealing Narcotics
  A VA nurse pleaded guilty to stealing narcotics for personal use.
• OIG Leader Dr. John D. Daigh, Jr., Receives 2018 Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive
  Dr. John D. “David” Daigh, Jr., the VA Office of Inspector General’s Assistant Inspector General for the Office of Healthcare Inspections has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive by the President.
• Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Brother's Veteran's Benefits
  A man, appointed as his veteran brother’s fiduciary, pleaded guilty to stealing VA benefits.
• Man Who Lied About Combat Service for Second Time Sentenced to Federal Prison
  Man who defrauded the VA of benefits by falsely claiming to be a veteran was sentenced to prison.
• Government Contractors Found Guilty in $11 Million Veteran Set-Aside Fraud Scheme
  Contractors convicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal service-disabled veteran-owned small business set aside contracts.
• Thompsontown Man Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Disabled Veteran Of $316,360
  Man appointed as a fiduciary pleaded guilty defrauding a disabled veteran of VA and SSA benefits.
• Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Bomb Veterans Administration Office
  A man pleaded guilty to threatening to bomb the VARO in Jackson, Mississippi.
• Midstate Man And Woman Charged With Defrauding Disabled Veteran Of $316,360
  A couple assigned as a VA Fiduciary and Legal Custodian are accused of using the veteran’s VA and SSA benefits for personal gain.
• Fairport Man Pleads Guilty To False Claim Of PTSD To Get VA Disability Payments
  A man pleaded guilty for making false claims to receive over $92,000 in VA disability benefits to which he was not legally entitled.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Official Pleads Guilty to Bribery, Fraud, and Obstruction in $2 Million Scheme Involving Program for Disabled Military Veterans
  A former VA official pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to demand and receive bribes from for-profit schools in exchange for enrolling disabled veterans in those schools.
• Federal Charges Filed Against Engineering Department Operations Supervisor and Two Business Owners for Scheme to Defraud Veterans Administration Medical Center in Temple
  Three people charged for their role in a scheme to defraud the VA by submitting false invoices.
• Syracuse Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Federal Government
  Woman pleads guilty to defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor in mileage reimbursement scheme.
• Veterans Affairs Official Charged With Taking Bribes To Help Business Associates Rig Federal Contracting Process
  Three people were arrested and indicted for their involvement in a scheme to pay and receive bribes to manipulate Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business contracts.
• Bassfield Man Pleads Guilty to Bomb Threat Against Veterans Nursing Home
  A man pleaded guilty to charges for threatening to bomb a VA nursing home.
• Oceanside Man Admits to Stealing Benefits Intended for Widow of Military Veteran
  A man pleaded guilty to stealing benefits from the widow of a military veteran.
• Springfield Man Indicted for Bomb Threat at Veterans Clinic
  A man was indicted for making a bomb threat at a VA clinic.
• Leominster Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security and Veterans Benefits
  A woman pleaded guilty to stealing VA and SSA benefits. After the passing of her former father-in-law she continued to deposit his benefit payments although she knew she was not entitled to the money.
• Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Accepting $2.5 Million in Bribes and Kickbacks
  A man pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and kickbacks in a scheme to award VA and several other federal agency contracts to subcontractors.
• Cardiologist Gets 20 Months In Prison For Billing Veterans Affairs For Hundreds Of Bogus Medical Procedures
  A doctor contracted by VA was sentenced to prison for fraudulently submitting false documentation to the VA claiming to have performed more than 350 procedures he never performed. He defrauded the VA of $238,230 in false claims for medical services.
• Federal Jury Convicts Former VA Field Examiner and OPM Investigator Kenneth Richard Devore of Fraud
  VA fiduciary convicted in a scheme to defraud a disabled and incompetent veteran of over $680,000.
• Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing from the Department of Veterans Affairs
  Elderly man pleads guilty to defrauding the VA of $220,000 in benefits.
• VA Medical Center Nurse Indicted, Arraigned for Allegedly Tampering With and Stealing Prescription Opioids
  VA nurse indicted on drug diversion charges.
• Rockland Man Charged With Health Care Fraud and Embezzlement
  A man who submitted claims to VA for services not rendered was charged with health care fraud.
• Federal Jury Convicts Jacksonville Man Of Stealing Veterans’ Disability Benefits
  Man convicted of theft of government property related to a VA disability benefits fraud scheme faces up to 10 years in prison.
• OIG Reports on Staffing Shortages for All VA Medical Centers
  The OIG’s report identifies self-reported gaps in clinical and nonclinical occupations at VA medical centers. The report also identifies challenges to meeting staffing goals and recommends development of a new staffing model that identifies and prioritizes staffing needs at the national level while supporting flexibility at the facility.
• Fenton Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Claims to the VA Medical Center
  Man pleads guilty to submitting false invoices to the VA totaling more than $644,000.
• Parking Lot Operator Agrees to Plead Guilty in Scheme to Pay Bribes and Defraud the Department of Veteran’s Affairs out of $13+ Million
  A business owner pleads guilty in a bribery scheme to defraud the VA of more than $13 million from the operation of parking garages at the VA’s Los Angeles campus.
• Health Care Providers Indicted on Conspiracy and Health Care Fraud
  VA health care providers indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges for accepting money, trips, meals, and other gratuities to promote the use of a company’s medical products.
• Brooklyn Man Convicted of Stealing from a Disabled Army Veteran and the VA
  Man convicted of stealing VA disability compensation benefits from a disabled veteran. While acting as the veteran’s fiduciary he misappropriated VA funds intended for the benefit of the veteran for his own personal use.
• Owner of Welding School Sentenced for $1.4 Million GI Bill Fraud
  The owner of a welding school was sentenced to prison for his part in a scheme to defraud the VA of education benefits.
• Local Business Owner Convicted of Conspiring to Defraud the VA
  A man pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud regarding VA veteran owned small business set aside contracts.
• Cardiovascular And Thoracic Surgeons Of Nevada Inc. Agrees To Pay $1.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  Doctor agrees to payment to settle potential liability under the civil False Claims Act from billing VA for surgical services not actually provided and other inconsistencies.
• Nurses Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Opioids from Colorado Hospitals
  Former VA nurse sentenced to prison for theft of medications and tampering with medications.
• Palm Bay Man Sentenced For Defrauding The Department Of Veterans Affairs
  A man was sentenced to federal prison for theft of government funds in a fraud scheme to collect VA disability benefits for false service connected injury claims.
• School Employee Pleads Guilty to Role in Bribery Scheme Involving VA Program for Disabled Military Veterans
  The financial manager of a privately owned, non-accredited school specializing in information technology courses, plead guilty to a VA benefits fraud scheme that targeted disabled veterans.
• School Owner Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Bribery Scheme Involving VA Program for Disabled Military Veterans
  Man pleads guilty in education benefits fraud scheme that targeted veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• School Owner Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Bribery Scheme Involving VA Program for Disabled Military Veterans
  The owner of a privately owned, non-accredited school specializing in information technology courses, plead guilty to a VA benefits fraud scheme that targeted disabled veterans.
• Maui Man Sentenced For Theft From U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs
  Veteran sentenced to prison for theft of funds from VA. The veteran received benefits after falsely claiming that he suffered from combat related injuries.
• Multiple Defendants Charged in Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Involving Over $200 Million in Small Business Contracts
  Three people charged in a fraud and money-laundering scheme that targeted VA service disabled veteran owned small business and other set aside contracts.
• Federal & State Law Enforcement Authorities Announce Formation of Special Unit to Fight Public Corruption
  The VA OIG joins our federal and state law enforcement partners on a new unit to investigate corrupt public officials, the misuse of public funds, campaign and election law violations, and suspected criminal activity.
• Critical Deficiencies at the Washington DC VA Medical Center
  Final report details findings of the OIG's inspection at the DC VA Medical Center following allegations that patients and assets were at risk.
• Pennsylvania Business Owner Admits Defrauding Veterans’ GI Bill
  A man plead guilty to his role in a s scheme to fraudulently steal more than $24 million in VA education benefits.
• New England Compounding Center Pharmacist Sentenced for Role in Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
  The former supervisory pharmacist of New England Compounding Center (NECC) was sentenced in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.
• Company Owners Plead Guilty to $13.8 Million 'Rent-A-Vet' Scheme
  Owners of a construction company plead guilty to a scheme to fraudulently obtain VA Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside contracts.
• Bradenton Man Sentenced For Pretending To Be Blind To Steal Money From The Department Of Veterans Affairs
  Veteran sentenced for benefits fraud. The veteran received $583,485 over twenty years falsely claiming to be blind.
• Former Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Bribery
  Former VA official pleaded guilty to stealing $66,000 in a wire fraud and bribery scheme.
• Former Veterans Affairs Official Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges after Taking Bribes for Years from Parking Lot Operator
  A former VA employee plead guilty to taking bribes from the parking lot operator at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and lying to VA OIG investigators.
• Harrison County Man Admits to Health Care Fraud
  A veteran plead guilty of one count of Health Care Fraud for falsely reporting symptoms related to his service to collect over $224,000 in benefits.
• Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Distribution Conspiracy Involving Mail Theft
  Couple sentenced to prison for a drug diversion scheme stealing packages of VA pain medication mailed to veterans.
• Federal Grand Jury Files Superseding Indictment in Criminal Case Against Co-Founders of Ayudando Guardians
  Co-founders of Ayudando Alpha, Inc., a guardianship, conservatorship, and financial management services company, accused of embezzling funds from veterans.
• Former Whitman Police Sergeant Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Funds from Disabled Veterans
  A former police sergeant, who was a VA fiduciary, was sentenced to prison for embezzling funds from disabled veterans.
• Parking Lot Operator Arrested for Allegedly Failing to Pay Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs at least $11 Million while Paying Bribes to VA Official
  The owner of a parking lot business on the VA Los Angeles medical campus arrested for defrauding the VA of $11 million
• Founder and Owner of Pharmaceutical Company Insys Arrested and Charged with Racketeering
  The founder and owner of Insys Therapeutics Inc., was charged with leading a nationwide conspiracy to profit by using bribes and fraud to cause the illegal distribution of a Fentanyl spray intended for cancer patients experiencing breakthrough pain.
• Supervisory Pharmacist of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
  Pharmacist convicted of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, and false labeling in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.
• Owner Of Computer School Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For $2.8 Million Veterans’ Retraining Assistance Program Education Fraud
  Owner of a computer training center was sentenced to 24 months in prison for stealing $2.8 in VA education benefits.
• Physician at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg admits to drug charge
  Former VA physician convicted of drug diversion.
• Two Women, Including Former Associate Dean Of Caldwell University, Admit Defrauding Veterans’ GI Bill
  Two people plead guilty to fraudulently obtaining over $24 in VA GI Bill education benefits.
• Western New York Contractors and Two Owners to Pay More Than $3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  Contractors and business owners agree to pay more than $3 million to settle false claims act allegations related to Service-Disabled Veteran-Own Small Business set-aside contracts.
• Suffolk Man Pleads Guilty to GI Bill Fraud Conspiracy
  Veteran pleads guilty to conspiring to defraud the VA of GI Bill educational benefits.
• Kansas Man Sentenced For Pretending to be Blind To Qualify for Federal Benefits
• Justice Department Announces Closing of Ayudando Guardians Office
• Broken Arrow Man Pleads Guilty To Witness Tampering
  VA psychiatrist pleads guilty to witness tampering.
• Geneseo Man Pleads Guilty to Stolen Valor Offenses
  Veteran pleads guilty to theft of government funds and related Stolen Valor offenses.
• Cardiologist Admits Billing Veterans Affairs For Hundreds Of Bogus Medical Procedures
  A doctor pleads guilty to defrauding the VA by billing for over 350 procedures he did not perform.
• Academy Medical, LLC and its Owners to Pay $335,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Liability
  Academy Medical LLC agrees to pay $335,000 to resolve False Claims Act liability allegations that they exploited service-disabled veteran-owned small business VA contracts that they would not have otherwise qualified for on their own.
• PHH Agrees To Pay Over $74 Million To Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability Arising From Mortgage Lending
  PHH Corp. agrees to pay $74 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations regarding originating and underwriting mortgage loans insured by the VA.
• Canandaigua Man Sentenced for Threatening Shooting at Albany VA Medical Center
  Man sentenced for threatening to commit a mass shooting at the Stratton VA Medical Center.
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases Inspection Report on Opioid Prescribing
  OIG’s inspection, Opioid Prescribing to High-Risk Veterans Receiving VA Purchased Care, identifies the need for improved care coordination between VA and non-VA healthcare providers prescribing opioids to veterans.
• South Florida Man Charged With Credit Card Fraud And Identity Theft Involving Personal Information From Veterans
  Man indicted on charges of credit card fraud and identity theft of veterans receiving VA health care benefits.
• Guardianship Firm and its Principals Charged with Federal Conspiracy, Fraud, Theft and Money Laundering Offenses
  Two women charged in decade-long scheme to embezzle funds from client trust accounts who received VA and SSA benefit payments.
• Owner Of Commercial Supply Companies Gets 60 Months In Prison For Conspiring To Defraud Approximately 40 Companies Of More Than $1 Million
  Philadelphia man sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to defraud approximately 40 businesses out of more than $1 million.
• Jacksonville Veteran Indicted On Charges Of Stealing $538,000 In Fraudulent Disability Benefits
  Veteran indicted on charges for fraudulently stealing $538,000 in VA disability benefits.
• Madison Man Sentenced to 16 Months for Conspiring to Defraud the VA
  Man sentenced to 16 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the VA of compensation benefits.
• Chelsea Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of VA Benefits
  Veteran pleads guilty to theft of VA travel reimbursement benefits.
• Former VA Nurse Re-Sentenced for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications
  Former VA nurse sentenced to 38 months in prison for tampering with a consumer product and obtaining controlled substances by deception.
• St. Louis Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement of Money from a Disabled Veteran
  Fiduciary pleads guilty to embezzling more than $30,000 from a disabled veteran.
• Owner Of Computer School Admits $2.8 Million Veterans’ Retraining Assistance Program Education Fraud
  The owner of a computer training company pleads guilty to defrauding the VA of over $2.8 million in education benefits.
• Physician at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Martinsburg Indicted on Drug Charges
  Former VA employee indicted on 15 counts of drug diversion charges.
• Snoqualmie Washington Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Defrauding Government Programs of More than $646,000
  Veteran sentenced to prison for lying about injuries received during military service to defraud the VA and other agencies of benefits.
• Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Charges Relating to a Kickback Scheme at the John Cochran VA Center
  Former VA supervisor pleads guilty to charges in a $270,000 kickback scheme involving medical center HVAC contracts from 2012 to 2015.
• Wisconsin man sentenced to more than four years in prison for falsely claiming he was a Navy SEAL wounded in Vietnam to get benefits
  Wisconsin man sentenced to prison for posing as a Vietnam-era Navy SEAL to defraud the VA of benefits.
• Cleveland Heights Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, Son to Seven Years for $8 Million Home Healthcare Fraud
  Four people sentenced in $8 million healthcare fraud scheme that targeted Medicaid, Medicare and the VA.
• Former Massachusetts Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds From Disabled Veterans and Running Fraudulent Tax Preparation Business
  Former police sergeant pleads guilty to fiduciary fraud misappropriating funds from the accounts of disabled veterans and other offenses.
• Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Veterans Disability Benefits
  Woman sentenced to prison for stealing nearly $400,000 in VA disability benefits.
• Man Who Falsely Claimed to Receive the Purple Heart Award to Receive Financial Benefits is Sentenced to 21 Months in Federal Prison
  Veteran sentenced to Federal prison for fraudulently representing military decorations for VA compensation and pension benefits.
• Owner of Independence Clinic Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Owner of a medical clinic pleads guilty to defrauding the VA through a health care disability examination scheme.
• SCM True Air Technologies, Of Ohio And Kentucky, And Its Former Company President - Guilty Of Delivering Misbranded Medical Devices From Unregistered Facilities To A Georgia V.A. Medical Center And Obstructing An FDA Investigation Into Their Conduct
  Two men plead guilty to selling unregistered, misbranded, and defective bariatric beds to VA.
• Operators of Trucking School Charged with Defrauding VA by Collecting Tuition for Veterans who Never Attended Classes
  Two men arrested and indicted on federal charges that they defrauded the VA of over $4 million in tuition and other payments. The men are accused of falsely certifying that veterans attended classes at a trucking school.
• Inventory Management and Staffing Deficiencies at the Washington, DC, VA Medical Center That Are Placing Patients at Unnecessary Risk
  The VA Office of Inspector General issued an Interim Summary Report about inventory management practices and staffing deficiencies that place patients at unnecessary risk at the Washington, DC, VA Medical Center.
• VA Office of Inspector General Enhances Healthcare Inspection Program
  OIG’s new Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) reviews of Veterans Health Administration facilities starts in April 2017.
• Canandaigua Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Mass Shooting at Albany VA
  Man pleads guilty to threatening to commit a mass shooting at the Stratton VA Medical Center.
• Owner of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
  Pharmacist convicted of racketeering and mail fraud that contributed to a nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases Evaluation of the Veterans Crisis Line
  The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued its health care inspection, Evaluation of the Veterans Health Administration Veterans Crisis Line, reporting deficiencies in multiple areas of VA’s administration of its Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).
• Ball Man Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Stealing More than $100,000 in Veterans Affairs Benefits
  Man sentenced to 21 months in prison for defrauding the VA of more than $100,000 in benefits.
• Owner of Commercial Supply Companies Admits Conspiring to Defraud Approximately 40 Companies of More Than $1 Million
  Business owner in New Jersey admits to conspiracy to defraud the VA and other Federal government agencies by subcontracting third-party vendors to provide services on credit and falsely promising to pay the vendors.
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases VISN 6 Access to Care Audit
  OIG audit finds new patients experience significant delays to access to VA health care.
• Indictment: Claiming to be Blind, Defendant Drove to Appointments
  Army veteran indicted on federal fraud charges for pretending to be blind to receive VA benefits.
• Las Cruces Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from and Defrauding Department of Veterans Affairs
  New Mexico woman pleads guilty to defrauding the VA by embezzling “surviving-spouse” benefits checks.
• Veterans Affairs Employees Charged with Stealing and Selling Prescription Drugs
  Three U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees charged with conspiring to steal prescription medications, including opioids, from the VA John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital.
• Former Goodwill Employee and Another Man Sentenced for Stealing Grant Money Destined for Homeless Veterans
  Two men convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud were ordered to prison for their role in fraudulently cashing VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant checks that were intended to provide emergency housing assistance to vetera
• Holmes County Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Receiving Veterans Disability Benefits
  Florida woman pleads guilty to theft of government funds for fraudulently receiving $394,800 in VA disability benefits.
• Former Physician Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Former doctor who performed unauthorized health care examinations for a VA contractor pleads guilty to health care fraud.
• Construction Company Owner, KC Veteran Indicted in $13.8 Million 'Rent-A-Vet' Scheme
  Two men indicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business construction contracts.
• Jury Finds Army Veteran Guilty Of Theft Of Nearly $300,000 And Making A False Statement
  Veteran found guilty of theft of government property and making a false statement to receive disability benefits.
• Athens Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the VA
  Veteran pleads guilty to benefit compensation fraud.
• New England Compounding Center’s National Sales Director Pleads Guilty
  Rhode Island man pleads guilty to conspiring to defraud the FDA
• Owner of Chesapeake Barber College Pleads Guilty to $4.5 Million GI Bill Fraud
  Virginia woman pleads guilty to $4.5 million GI Bill Fraud scheme.
• Pharmaceutical Executives Charged in Racketeering Scheme
  Seven people arrested in conspiracy scheme to bribe doctors using kickbacks to inflate drug sales.
• Iowa Woman Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud
  Iowa woman sentenced to 18 months in prison for falsifying mortgage loan paperwork to receive a VA home loan.
• Palm Beach County Man Sentenced to 150 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Bonding Fraud Scheme
  Florida man sentenced to twelve-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding federal agencies by issuing worthless bonds to insure construction contracts.
• Owner of Chesapeake Barber College Pleads Guilty to $4.5 Million GI Bill Fraud
  Virginia man pleads guilty to $4.5 million GI Bill Fraud Scheme.
• Owner of Sham ‘Veteran-Owned’ Company Ordered to Forfeit $6.7 Million
  Massachusetts man convicted of defrauding the Federal government is ordered to forfeit $6.7 million.
• Bossier City Woman Sentenced to 12 months in Prison for Stealing More than $90,000 in VA Benefits
  Louisiana woman sentenced to 12 months in prison for fraudulently taking $90,000 in VA benefits that payable to her deceased mother.
• Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the VA
  Father-in-law assists veterans in filing fraudulent compensation benefit claim
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases Administrative Investigation Report Concerning John Thomas Burch, Jr.
  VA employee used position for private gain and misused government resources connected to outside employment with veterans’ charity.
• Nine South Florida Residents Charged with Stealing Over $800,000 from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  Six people charged with veterans federal death benefits fraud.
• Former Veterans Hospital Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Medication
  Former VA nurse pleads guilty to stealing oxycodone and other medications from VA medical center.
• Two Individuals Ordered to Pay Over $4 Million in Restitution For Their Participation in a Conspiracy to Defraud Federal Agencies and Federal Contractors
  Two individuals ordered to pay $4 million in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government.
• St. Louis Area Woman Indicted on Charges of Theft by a Veteran's Affairs Fiduciary
  Woman charged with theft government funds and misappropriation related to her role as the fiduciary representative for a disabled veteran.
• VA Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Falsifying the Medical Records of Hundreds of Veterans
  Former VA employee sentenced to prison for falsifying medical records of veterans that delayed vital health care.
• VA Office of Inspector General Receives Project Excellence Awards
• CEO, CFO and VP Convicted in Nationwide Worker's Compensation Fraud Scheme
  Company CEO, CFO, and VP convicted of conspiracy and health care fraud.
• Navy Veteran Convicted of Making False Statement to Receive Disability Benefit Payments
  Navy veteran pleads guilty to making false statements to a VA OIG special agent in an effort to continue receiving disability benefits.
• Kentucky Veteran Sentenced to Two Years in Prison after Federal Jury Found Him Guilty of Defrauding the Veterans Health Administration
  Veteran sentenced to two years in federal prison for defrauding VA of nearly $700,000 in disability compensation.
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases Phoenix Consult Mismanagement Report
  OIG review finds that the Phoenix VA Health Care System inappropriately discontinued consults for some patients in 2015.
• Stafford Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Veterans
  Connecticut man pleads guilty to defrauding veterans by representing that in exchange for money he would help them obtain increased benefits from the VA.
• North Carolina Couple Sentenced For Government Contract Fraud
  SDVOSB fraud results in federal prison term for a North Carolina couple.
• Owner of Sham ‘Veteran-Owned’ Company Sentenced for $100 Million Fraud
  Massachusetts man receives a sentence of 30 months in prison and a fine of $1 million for a $100 million Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside contracting fraud scheme.
• VA Office of Inspector General Releases Denver Construction Report
  OIG review identifies factors that increased the cost and delayed construction of the Denver replacement medical center in Aurora, Colorado.
• Milan Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Theft of Veterans Benefits
  Illinois man sentenced to one year in federal prison for benefits fraud totaling $178,789.
• Independence Man Sentenced for Receiving Undeserved Veterans Benefits
  Missouri man sentenced to over four years in federal prison for benefits fraud and other offenses.
• Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Veterans Benefits
  Massachusetts man pleads guilty to theft of nearly $80,000 in veterans benefits.
• Cannon Design to Pay $12 Million as Part of Criminal Enforcement Agreement
  Joint OIG and FBI investigation results in Cannon Design signing a Criminal Enforcement Agreement that includes a $12 million penalty.
• Mortgage Company President Charged with Defrauding Ginnie Mae
  Joint investigation results in conspiracy and wire fraud charges in Ginnie Mae case.
• Collin County Man Sentenced for Disabled Vet Related Fraud
  Texas man sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside contracts.
• Manchester Resident Pleads Guilty To Selling Stolen Government Property
  OIG and VA Police investigation results in guilty plea to fifteen counts of unlawfully converting government property.
• Former Whitman Police Sergeant Charged with Embezzling Funds from Disabled Veterans
  Joint investigation results in an arrest and charges against a former police sergeant in connection with misappropriating funds from the accounts of disabled veterans while he was a VA appointed fiduciary.
• Statement from VA Inspector General on National Whistleblower Appreciation Day
  National Whistleblower Appreciation Day statement from VA Inspector General Michael Missal.
• Canandaigua Man Indicted for Threatening to Kill VA Employees in Albany
  OIG investigation results in the indictment of a Canandaigua, New York, man for threatening to kill a VA police officer.
• Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations
  Acclarent Inc., agrees to pay $18 million to settle false claims act allegations.
• Former Acclarent, Inc. Executives Convicted of Crimes Related to the Sale of Medical Devices
  Joint investigation results in convictions on 10 counts of introducing adulterated and misbranded medical devices into interstate commerce.
• Former Federal Employee Labor Union President Sentenced In White Plains Federal Court For Stealing Union Funds
  OIG and DOL investigation results in guilty plea and 15 month sentence for former Federation of Government Employees local president.
• Nevada Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Perpetrating a Nationwide Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Scheme
  Las Vegas man receives 25 year sentence for multimillion dollar scheme to defraud the government.
• Palm Beach County Resident Found Guilty of Defrauding Federal Agencies
  Joint investigative effort from VA OIG and multiple other OIGs results in fraud conviction.
• Investigation Leads to 50-Year Sentence - Veteran Murdered by Wife for Monetary Benefits
  Veteran Murdered by Wife for Monetary Benefits receives 50-year sentence
• Redmond Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Federal Benefits
  Veteran pleads guilty and accepts plea agreement for stealing VA and other federal government benefits.
• U.S. Attorney's Office Files Federal Charges Against 16 Individuals for Fraudulent Receipt of Travel Reimbursement Benefits from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  OIG and VA Police investigation results in charges against 16 individuals for fraudulent travel vouchers.
• Former Nurse Sentenced to 82 Months for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications
  Former VA nurse sentenced to 82 months for stealing and tampering with medications.
• Chelmsford Man Convicted of Defrauding Disabled Veterans Program of More Than $100 Million
  Chelmsford, Mass., man found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States in the implementation and administration of the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program.
• Auburn Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from Interstate Shipments
  Auburn, Maine, woman pleads guilty to stealing prescription narcotic medications from VA medical center.
• Federal Investigation Yields Multiple Convictions In Connection With Bribery Of Veterans Affairs Contracting Officer
  OIG & FBI joint investigation results in conviction of seventh defendant in contracting bribery scandal.
• Oregon DOJ’s Medicaid Fraud Unit Prosecutes Fiduciary who Targeted Veterans
  Joint investigation results in conviction of fiduciary who stole from veterans she was appointed to help.
• Pennsylvania Man Charged In Alleged $35 Million Fraud Against Veterans’ Education GI Bill
  Pennsylvania man orchestrated a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans by charging ten to thirty times the actual cost of online correspondence courses through a subcontractor.
• Two Individuals Plead Guilty in Conspiracy to Defraud Over Ten Federal Agencies
  These two individuals defrauded over 100 contractors and various government agencies in an elaborate surety bond scheme.
• Warner Chilcott Sentenced to Pay $125 Million for Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Warner Chilcott to pay $125 million for illegally marketing pharmaceuticals and providing kickbacks to physicians from 2009 through 2013.
• Retired Funeral Director Pleads Guilty To Submitting Fraudulent Claims To The Veterans Administration
• Federal Workers Compensation Kickback Conspirators Plead Guilty
  Two conspirators face up to five years in prison related to a kickback scheme netting over $1 million.
• The Hayner Hoyt Corporation To Pay $5 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Liability
  Coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, VA-OIG, SBA-OIG, and DCIS results in $5 million penalty for exploiting a contracting program designed to assist service-disabled veterans.
• Former Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Sentenced to 60 months in prison for Altering and Falsifying VA Computer Records
  Alteration of medical records by former nurse results in appropriate medical treatment being withheld from veteran, who subsequently passed away.
• Founders of Film School for Wounded Veterans Sentenced to Prison
  Husband and wife capitalized on the misfortune of wounded marines now face prison time and fines.
• Former Director of Phoenix VA Hospital Pleads Guilty
  VA Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigations assist the Department of Justice in attaining a guilty plea and holding the former VAMC Phoenix Director accountable.
• Former VA Nurse Pleads Guilty To Stealing Controlled Substance From Hospital Syringes
  Nurse pleads guilty to stealing controlled substance from veterans in hospice care to feed personal addiction.
• Former Goodwill Employee Charged in Scheme to Steal VA Grant Money
  Two individuals face conspiracy charges in connection with grants fraud.
• Veterans Affairs Official Sentenced for Accepting Gifts in Relation to His Job Duties
  Contracting Officer sentenced in connection with accepting prepaid vacation packages while in a position to exert influence.
• Shasta County Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the VA by Falsely Claiming He Was a Decorated Veteran
  Stolen Valor— Shasta County Man pleads guilty to 23 misdemeanor counts in scheme to illegally obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Blythewood Man Convicted of Massive Government Fraud
  South Carolina man could face up to 20 years of imprisonment, fines up to $500,000 and forfeiture of more than $1.5 million dollars in connection with a fraudulent disability claim.

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Contractor Fraud

• California Medical Device Maker Settles Allegations it Improperly Compensated VA Podiatrists
  OIG Investigations Into Sunnyvale, CA, Manufacturer’s Influence in Procurement Process Leads to $3M Payment To VA
• Millennium Laboratories to Pay $256 Million to Resolve False Billing and Kickback Claims
  $256M Settlements Result from Joint Investigation of San Diego Laboratory for Medically Unnecessary Drug and Genetic Testing
• Former Executive Convicted of Bribing Former Director of Cleveland VA Medical Center
  OIG, FBI Investigation Results in Conviction of Design Contractor Who Received Inside Information from Former VA Executive
• Mercer County, New Jersey, Woman Sentenced To 37 Months In Prison For Paying $671,000 In Bribes To Fraudulently Obtain Government Construction Contracts
  New Jersey US Attorney’s Office Credits VA OIG, FBI and IRS-Criminal for Investigation Leading to Sentencing in Bribery Case
• San Antonio Businessman Sentenced For V.A. Fraud Scheme
  Texas Man Gets 1 Yr, 1 Day in Prison, Ordered to Pay $1.4M in Restitution for Defrauding VA in Contracts Meant for Veterans
• Iron Mountain Companies Agree to Pay $44.5 Million to Settle Alleged False Billing for Storing Government Documents and Data
  $44.5 M Settlement Results from Joint Investigation by OIGs and Other Law Enforcement Agencies, VA Among Agencies That Contracted for Record Storage with Iron Mountain
• Virginia Executive Indicted For Fraudulently Receiving Confidential Information About VA Construction Projects
  OIG, FBI Investigation Leads to 23-Count Indictment for Construction Contractor Who Conspired To Defraud VA
• Owner of Union County Home Health Aide Agency Charged With Billing Medicaid & Veterans Affairs More Than $100,000 for Services That Were Not Provided
  30-Count Indictment for New Jersey Woman Who Submitted Hundreds of Fraudulent Claims to VA and Medicaid for In-Home Care
• Coweta County Man Sentenced for Illegally Obtaining Federal Contracts Reserved for Military Veterans
  2-Year Sentence for Georgia Man Convicted in “Rent-a-Vet” Contracting Fraud Scheme

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Drug Diversion/Distribution

• East Greenbush Nurse Indicted, Accused Of Obtaining Controlled Substance From Hospital Syringes
  Albany, NY, VA Medical Center LPN Faces Prison Time, Fine If Convicted for Tampering with Oxycodone Hydrochloride Syringes
• Two Employees Of Veterans Affairs Hospital, Including Logistics Warehouse And Mail Center Supervisor, Charged With Conspiracy To Distribute Cocaine
  VA OIG, US Postal Inspections Arrest Two Bronx VA Workers for Allegedly Distributing 5 Kilograms of Cocaine
• Jamestown Nurse Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Oxycodone
  Former Nurse at VA Clinic in New York Faces Prison, Fines for Forging Prescriptions and Distributing Narcotics
• Seven Arrested, Charged with Selling Illegal Drugs to Veterans Treated at VA Medical Centers in New Jersey
  OIG, FBI Operation to Combat Sale of Heroin and Crack Cocaine at VA's Lyons and Orange, NJ, Medical Centers Results in Arrests

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Fiduciary Fraud

• Harrisburg Woman Indicted in Mail Fraud Scheme
  Illinois Fiduciary Who Used Veterans and Social Security Recipients’ Funds To Pay Her Own Bills Faces Up To 20 Years in Prison

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Healthcare Fraud

• Three Family Members Sentenced In Connection With Defrauding Veterans Health Care In The Villages
  Miller Wilson, Jr. (50, Sparr), his daughter, Myoshi Wilson (26, Citra), and his ex-wife, Erica Wilson (43, Ocala) were sentenced on December 8, 2020, by Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore for their roles in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits. Each had previously pleaded guilty.
• Former Cleveland VA Medical Center supervisor charged with theft of government property and fraud
  U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced on November 20, 2020, that a grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a 28-count indictment charging William H. Precht, age 53, of Kent, Ohio, with theft of government property, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, wire fraud, and false statements relating to health care matters.
• Former VA Hospice Nurse Pleads Guilty to Diverting and Tampering with Morphine Meant for Dying Veterans
  A Tewksbury woman pleaded guilty on October 21, 2020, to charges of diverting morphine while she employed as a nurse in the hospice unit at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center campus in Bedford.
• OC Man Who Fraudulently Obtained VA Benefits by Falsely Claiming to Be a Wounded Marine Sentenced to Over One Year in Prison
  An Orange County man who falsely held himself out to be a United States Marine Corps combat veteran and two-time Purple Heart recipient to fraudulently obtain veterans’ health care and housing benefits was sentenced on October 8, 2020, to 16 months in federal prison.
• Veterans Affairs respiratory therapist pleads guilty to stealing and selling COVID-19 respiratory supplies
  A respiratory therapist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle pleaded guilty on October 5, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Seattle to theft of government property, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. GENE WAMSLEY, 41, of Bonney Lake, Washington, admits stealing a ventilator and other respiratory medical equipment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and selling it for his own gain. WAMSLEY faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge James L. Robart on January 11, 2021.
• District of New Jersey Announces Charges in Health Care Fraud Cases as Part of Nationwide Federal Law Enforcement Effort
  Six individuals have been charged in New Jersey for their roles in a massive nationwide prescription medication and durable medical equipment telemedicine scheme, and three others admitted their roles in three other health care fraud cases. The announcements are part of a federal law enforcement effort to crack down on health care fraud nationwide.
• Doctor Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Telemedicine Investigation
  A Dallas-area doctor pled guilty on September 25, 2020, to obstructing a federal health care investigation. Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael C. Mentavlos, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Southwest Field Office, Patrick Roche, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General South Central Field Office, Miranda L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Diane Upchurch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Little Rock Field Office, announced Dr. Lorraine De Blanche, 56, pled guilty this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller.
• Texas Woman Sentenced to Prison for Role in $5.5 Million Federal Worker’s Compensation Overbilling Scheme
  A Texas woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 22, 2020, for her role in a $5.5 million scheme to overbill the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Program for physical therapy and other services.
• Boca Raton Doctor Pleads Guilty To $20 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
  Dr. Richard Davidson (41, Boca Raton) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Davidson has also agreed to forfeit $2,472,087 to the United States, which represents the proceeds he obtained through the commission of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
• Owner Of Fraudulent Telemarketing Company Sentenced To Four Years In Federal Prison
  Chief U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday on September 4, 2020, sentenced Samuel Friedman (45, Land O’ Lakes) to four years in federal prison for health care fraud. The court also ordered Friedman to forfeit his interests in real property as well as a bank account containing nearly $475,000, which were traceable to proceeds of the offense. Restitution was ordered in the amount of $3.42 million.
• Three Family Members Plead Guilty In Connection With Defrauding Veterans Health Care In The Villages
  Miller Wilson, Jr. (50, Sparr), his daughter, Myoshi Wilson (26, Citra), and Erica Wilson (43, Ocala) have each pleaded guilty for their roles a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits.
• Agawam Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding VA Hospitals by Failing to Inspect Medical Gas Systems
  A vendor for several Veterans Affairs medical facilities pleaded guilty today to a scheme to profit by billing for, but failing to perform, critical medical gas inspections at VA facilities. Chester Wojcik, 49, of Agawam, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 19, 2020.
• NextHealth Marketer Charged in $60 Million Kickback Scheme
  A pharmacy marketer who allegedly collected more than $60 million in illegal kickbacks has been charged with violating the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, Northern District of Texas First Assistant U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah announced on August 20, 2020.
• Wheelers Indicted for Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
  A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Julie Wheeler, 44, and her husband Rodney Wheeler, 48, both of Beaver, with conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart.
• Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $49 Million Settlement With Biotech Testing Company For Fraudulent Billing And Kickback Practices
  Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health, Office of Inspector General (“HHS OIG”), Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the U.S. Department of Defense - Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”), and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office (“VA OIG”), announced on July, 23, 2020, a $49 million settlement with PROGENITY, INC. (“PROGENITY”), a San Diego-based biotechnology company that provides molecular and diagnostic tests. The settlement resolves claims that PROGENITY fraudulently billed federal healthcare programs for prenatal tests and provided kickbacks to physicians to induce to them to order PROGENITY tests for their patients. The Office’s lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court alleges that PROGENITY overbilled Medicaid and the VA by fraudulently using a billing code that misrepresented the tests provided. The lawsuit further alleges that PROGENITY provided illegal kickbacks in the form of excessive “draw fees” to physicians, meals and happy hours for physicians and their staff, and the improper reduction or waiver of patient coinsurance and deductible payments.
• Bucks County Man Pleads Guilty to Faking a Military Career as a Navy SEAL, Stealing from the Government, and Straw Purchasing Firearms
  United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Richard Meleski, 58, of Chalfont, PA, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including healthcare fraud, mail fraud, stolen valor, and aiding and abetting straw purchases of firearms.
• Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $678 Million Settlement Of Fraud Lawsuit Against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation For Operating Sham Speaker Programs Through Which It Paid Over $100 Million To Doctors To Unlawfully Induce Them To Prescribe No
  Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Gregory E. Demske, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG’s New York Regional Office, Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the U.S. Department of Defense - Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”), and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office (“VA OIG”), announced July 1, 2020, that the United States has settled a civil fraud lawsuit against NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION (“NOVARTIS”), part of Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis International AG, alleging that NOVARTIS violated the federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by providing doctors with cash payments, recreational outings, lavish meals, and expensive alcohol to induce them to prescribe NOVARTIS cardiovascular and diabetes drugs reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. Specifically, the Government alleged that NOVARTIS organized tens of thousands of sham educational events at high-end restaurants and other venues, paid exorbitant speaker fees to doctors who gave no meaningful presentations, and provided expensive meals and alcohol to doctor attendees and their guests. When those doctors then prescribed NOVARTIS’s cardiovascular and diabetes drugs, federal healthcare programs paid hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements for these tainted prescriptions. As part of the settlement, approved today by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, NOVARTIS will pay the United States and various States a total of $678 million. NOVARTIS also made extensive factual admissions in the settlement and agreed to strict limitations on any future speaker programs, including reductions to the amount it may spend on such programs.
• Beckley Woman Who Faked Death to Avoid Sentencing Will Serve 42 Months in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud
  Julie M. Wheeler, 43, of Beckley, was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to 42 months in federal prison for federal health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. After serving her prison sentence, she will be placed on supervised release for three years. She was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $289,055.07, an amount calculated by the Veterans Administration (VA) and approved by the court.
• Fayetteville Man Pleads Guilty to Obtaining VA Benefits through Fraud
  Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, announced today that WILLIE DOSHER CAIN pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft of government funds related to healthcare fraud.
• Four Florida Men Charged for Their Roles in a $54 Million Compound Pharmacy Kickback Scheme
  Four Florida men were charged in an indictment unsealed June 4, 2020, for their alleged participation in a compound pharmacy kickback scheme. James Wesley Moss, 57, of Zephyrhills, Edward Christopher White, 38, of Panama City Beach, David Byron Copeland, 52, of Tallahassee, and Michael Alton Gordon, 56, of Fort Myers, were each charged in an indictment filed in the Middle District of Florida with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay or receive health care kickbacks.
• Surgeon Agrees to Pay $1.75 Million to Resolve Allegations that He Accepted Kickbacks from SpineFrontier
  The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson of Newport News, Virginia, has agreed to pay $1.75 million to resolve allegations that he accepted kickbacks from SpineFrontier Inc., a Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer.
• VA Employee Found Guilty Of Corruption Charges And Defrauding VA Of Nearly $19 Million In A Year
  United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that yesterday a jury sitting in U.S. District Court in Denver found former Veterans Affairs (VA) employee Joseph Prince, age 60, of Aurora, Colorado, guilty of felony health care fraud, conspiracy, payment of illegal kickbacks and gratuities, money laundering charges and conflict of interest. The verdict is the result of an eight-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore. Prince’s bond was continued and he was ordered to home incarceration pending his sentencing.
• “Compound King” Convicted in $21 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme
  A federal jury sitting in Houston, Texas, found a pharmacist guilty of charges related to health care fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.
• Raleigh County Woman Enters Guilty Plea to Health Care Fraud
  Julie M. Wheeler entered a guilty plea for federal health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Wheeler, 43, of Beckley, faces up to 10 years of incarceration, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced on May 20, 2020. She will also be subject to an order of restitution in an amount ranging from $302,131 to $469,983, with the final determination to be made by the Court at sentencing.
• Agawam Man Charged with Defrauding VA Hospitals by Failing to Inspect Medical Gas Systems
  A vendor for several Veterans Affairs medical facilities was charged yesterday in connection with a scheme to profit by billing for, but failing to perform, critical medical gas inspections at VA facilities.
• U. S. Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Southeastern Retina Associates
  Southeastern Retina Associates ("SERA") has paid $1.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
• Warner Chilcott Agrees to Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme and Pay $125 Million
  Joint VA OIG, HHS OIG, DODIG, OPM OIG, FBI, and FDA Investigation of Illegal Promotion of Osteoporosis Drugs Leads to $125M Settlement from Pharmaceutical Company, Settlement of Healthcare Fraud Scheme Will Return Funds to VA for Continued Care of Veteran
• VA Employee Charged With Falsifying Medical Records Of Numerous Veterans
  Grand Jury Returns 50-Count Indictment Against VA Supervisor Who Falsified Consults at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA. Indictment Based on Investigation by OIG Special Agents, Assisted by OIG Healthcare Inspections Clinical Staff.
• Former Warner Chilcott Sales Manager Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud
  New Jersey Drug Company District Manager Faces Prison, Fine for Scheme To Deceive Govt To Pay for Osteoporosis Drug

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Homicide/Assault/Threats

• Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on a Federal Officer in VA Hospital Shooting Incident
  Penn. Man Faces Up to 1 Year in Prison for Assault Involving BB Gun at Wilmington, DE, VA Medical Center
• East Tennessee Woman Indicted in TBI Case Surrounding Husband’s 2006 Murder
  Joint Investigation with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and SSA OIG Results in Grand Jury Indictment of Woman for Plotting and Killing Husband by Prescription Drug Overdose

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Identity Theft

• Craig M. Young sentenced to71 months in prison in $11 million Ayudando Guardians financial fraud scheme
  A federal judge in Santa Fe, New Mexico sentenced Craig M. Young, 55, of Albuquerque to 71 months in federal prison June 11, 2020, for conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the operation of Ayudando Guardians, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Albuquerque that previously provided guardianship, conservatorship, and financial management to hundreds of people with special needs.
• Tax Fraudster Receives 27-Year Prison Sentence
  Tampa Man Who Used Names Stolen from VA To File $3M in False Tax Returns Gets 27 Yrs in Prison, Ordered To Pay Restitution
• Former VA Contractor Sentenced To Prison In Connection With Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
  Judge Hands Down 6 Yrs+ Sentence for Tampa Man Who Stole Documents from James A. Haley VA Hospital
• Tampa Man Pleads Guilty During Jury Selection In Stolen Identity Refund Case
  Significant Prison Time Faces Florida Man Who Admits To Stealing Veterans’ Identities from James Haley VA Hospital
• Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than Ten Years For Tax Fraud Scheme
  Identity Thief Who Used Stolen Veterans’ Personally Identifiable Information for Tax Fraud Gets 10 Years, $300K Judgment
• Former VA Contractor Arrested In Connection With Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
  Tampa Man Arrested for Stealing Veterans’ Information from James Haley VAMC Then Selling It for Use in Filing Fraudulent Tax Refunds
• Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than Seven Years For Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
  Federal Judge Gives 7.5 Year Sentence to Florida Man for Identity Theft that Victimized Veterans at Haley VAMC
• Former VA Employee Sentenced To Prison For Theft Of Veterans’ Personal Information
  6 Years in Prison, $105K Judgment for Former Tampa VAMC Employee Who Stole Identities of Over 100 In-Patients
• Veterans Support Group Director Gets 30 Months For Stealing Veteran's Identity
  30-Month Sentence for Philadelphia Man Who Defrauded VA of $178K in Health Care and Compensation Benefits
• Man Arrested For Defrauding The United States Army Reserve
  Federal Grand Jury in Puerto Rico Returns 7-Count Indictment Against Man Who Received Veterans Benefits Using Assumed Identity
• Trio Pleads Guilty to Filing Fraudulent Claims for Federal Income Tax Refunds
  Dayton, OH, VAMC Employee Used Government-Owned Computer in ConspiracyTo File Fraudulent Tax Returns
• Man Indicted for Embezzling from VA Program and Identity Theft
  Mass. Man Faces Up to 15 Years in Prison If Convicted for Embezzling $68K from Boston Veterans Affairs Research Institute
• Veteran Affairs Employee Indicted For Sale Of Veterans' Identity Information
  Former Tampa VA Employee Faces Prison, Fines If Convicted of Misusing Patient Information for Personal and Financial Gain

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SDVOSB

• Federal Jury Convicts North Carolina Couple Of Fraud
  Husband and wife conspired to defraud federal contract programs for disadvantaged and disabled veteran-owned small businesses
• Missouri Woman Sentenced for Defrauding Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
  20-Month Prison Sentence, $30K Judgment for Blue Springs, MO, Woman Whose Family Business Fraudulently Obtained $6.7M in Set-Aside Contracts Intended for Veteran Entrepreneurs
• Three People Arrested in Puerto Rico in a Contractor Major Scheme to Defraud the U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs
  “Rent-a-Vet” Scheme To Obtain Multi-Million Contracts Set Aside for Disabled Veterans Results in 5-Count Indictment Against Trio in Puerto Rico
• Central Coast Company Pays $1 Million To Resolve Allegations Of Lying To Obtain Service-Disabled Veteran Contracts
  Settlement Demonstrates OIG’s Continued Commitment To Aggressively Pursue Individuals and Companies that Misrepresent Themselves as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Deny Legitimate Disabled Veterans Opportunity To Compete for VA Contrac
• Civil Settlement Reached With Construction Company Falsely Claiming To Be Owned By A Service Disabled Veteran
  US Attorney for New Jersey Credits VA OIG, SBA OIG Investigation for Leading to $1.3M Settlement with New Jersey Construction Company
• Four Indicted For Fraud Against Government Contracting Programs
  Federal Grand Jury in Tennessee Returns Fraud Indictment in Scheme to Get Set-Aside Contracts Intended for Small Businesses and Veterans
• Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Make False Statements and Defraud the Government
  Penn. Contractor Admits Hiring Veteran as “Straw” Partner To Obtain $8.7 M in Government Contracts Meant for Disabled Veterans
• Co-owner of Defunct Company Admits Defrauding Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
  Missouri Man Pleads Guilty To Fraud, Made False Claims Enabling Company To Win $6.7M in Set-Aside Contracts Intended for Veterans
• Omaha Contractor and Companies Plead Guilty to Fraud Scheme
  Omaha Contractor Faces 24 Month in Prison for “Pass Through” Scheme That Took 45 Contracts Away From Legitimate Veteran-Owned Businesses
• New Jersey Business Owner Admits Fraudulent Claims Of Service-Disabled Veteran Ownership
  Office Design Owner Faces 5 Years in Prison for Falsely Claiming SDVOSB Status, Recieved $1.2M in Contracts Meant for Veterans
• Albuquerque Construction Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Federal Program for Service-Disabled Veterans
  Albuquerque Duo Plead Guilty in Scheme Where Nearly $11M in VA Construction Contracts Went to Them Instead of Disabled Veteran Business Owners
• Connecticut Man Sentenced for Claiming To Operate Minority, Service-Disabled Veteran Business
  2-Years’ Probation, $38K Forfeiture For Connecticut Man Who Falsely Claimed Disabled Veteran Status to Obtain Set-Aside Contracts
• Sterling Business Owner Sentenced for Claiming to be Minority, Service-Disabled Veteran Operated Business
  Federal Judge Sentences Massachusetts Contractor to 1 Year in Prison, $399K Forfeiture for Falsely Claiming to Be Disabled Veteran

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Stolen Valor

• Rochester Gun Store Burglar Admits To Lying About Military Medals
  U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Marcos D. Guzman, 36, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to making fraudulent representations about the receipt of military medals before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that Guzman lied to the U.S. Probation Office about his military service and being awarded two Purple Hearts in order to try to get a lower sentence on two pending firearms offenses. Specifically, the defendant lied about serving in the United States National Guard, being deployed to Iraq for 18 months, and receiving two Purple Hearts for saving another soldier on the battlefield in Iraq. Guzman provided photographs to the U.S. Probation Office that purported to show the two Purple Heart certificates. The Purple Heart certificates were fake. In April 2019, Guzman was convicted of theft of firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, after stealing approximately 87 firearms from Chinappi’s Firearms & Supplies, a gun store on West Ridge Road in Spencerport, NY. Co-defendants Dakota Sarfaty and Luis D. Marcano-Agosto have also been convicted. Many of the firearms were sold on the streets of Rochester.
• Brandon Man Sentenced To More Than 7 Years For Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
  Aggressive Pursuit of Identity Fraud Investigation with IRS and Florida Highway Patrol Results in Over 7 Yrs in Prison, $69K Fine

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VA Employee Corruption

• Former director of Cleveland VA Medical Center sentenced to nearly five years in prison for taking money from design firm
  Former VA employee who was the director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center sentenced to prison for taking bribes and kickbacks to influence VA contracts.
• A Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Convicted of Falsifying Medical Records and Computer Fraud
  Former Nurse at Miami VA Medical Center Pled Guilty To Altering Records of Deceased Patient Who Received Poor Care
• Former Department Of Veterans Affairs Official Sentenced To 46 Months In Prison For Taking $1.2 Million In Kickbacks
  New Jersey US Attorney Credits VA OIG, FBI, & IRS CID for Investigation Leading to 46-Month Prison Sentence for Former VA East Orange, NJ Engineer
• Former Federal Employee who Stole Government Property for Home Improvement Project
  Supervisor at West Haven, CT, VAMC Who Had Employees Repair and VA Pay for Improvements to Her Residence Gets 6 Months Home Confinement, Community Service, and $15K Fine
• Former Director of VA Medical Center Pleaded Guilty To Taking Money From Firm Bidding On Jobs
  OIG, FBI Investigation Results in Guilty Plea from Former VA Official Who Enriched Himself at Expense of Veterans
• Former Veterans Affairs Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud
  Brooklyn VA Psychiatrist Admits To Falsely Billing Medicare, Agrees To Forfeit $1.2M in Illegal Payments
• Former Department of Veterans Affairs Official Admits Fraud Taking $1.2 Million in Kickbacks
  Former VA East Orange Engineer Violated Public Trust By Directing Construction Contracts to Companies In Return for $1.2M
• Jersey City Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bribing a VA Official
  New Jersey Construction Contractor Faces Up to 15 Years in Prison, $250K in Fine for $5,000 Bribe to VA Official
• Former Director of Cleveland VA Medical Center Indicted for Conspiracy, Fraud, Money Laundering and Other Charges
  OIG, FBI Public Corruption Probe Leads to 36-Count Indictment Against Former VA Cleveland Medical Center Director.

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Procurement Fraud

• A Department Of Veterans Affairs Official And Durable Medical Equipment Vendor Charged With Health Care Fraud
  Former Prosthetics Chief at W. Palm Beach, FL, VA Medical Center Accused of Conspiring With Vendor To Fraudulently Bill VA for Equipment Never Provided to Veterans.
• Leesburg Man Sentenced for Role in Procurement Fraud Scheme Affecting over $33 Million in Federal Contracts
  16 Months Prison Time, $1M Forfeiture for Leesburg, VA, Man for Fraud Involving Government Contracts Meant for Disabled Veterans
• Business Owner Charged in $1.2 Million Procurement Fraud
  New Jersey Woman Arrested for Falsely Claiming Service-Disabled Business Status, Received $1.2M in Contracts from VA

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Additional Investigations

• Former Defense Department Employee Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for $2.5 Million Health Care Fraud -Veteran Admits Submitting Fraudulent Claims for Medical Expenses-
  Subject Made Fraudulent Claims Against VA Foreign Medical Program, Sentencing Affirms OIG’s Commitment To Bring to Justice Those Who Steal From Programs for Nation’s Deserving Veterans
• Nashville Woman Sentenced To Prison For Stealing VA Funds Intended for Needy Veterans
  OIG Investigation Results in 2 Years in Prison for Nashville Woman Who Squandered $364K in Grants Meant for Homeless Veterans
• Former Employee Of Exeter Hospital Pleads Guilty To Charges Related To Multi-State Hepatitis C Outbreak
  Traveling Healthcare Technician Pleads Guilty To Stealing Fentanyl and Knowingly Exposing Patients to Hepatitis C
• Ten-Year Sentence for Dayton Man Who Viewed Child Pornography While a Patient at VA Medical Center
  OIG Investigation Results in 10-Year Sentence, Lifetime Supervision for Dayton Man Involved in Online Exploitation of Children

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