thedrifter
07-11-03, 06:10 AM
Seven Navy personnel accused of defrauding VA program
ASSOCIATED PRESS
6:28 a.m., July 10, 2003
DALLAS – A federal grand jury has indicted seven active-duty Navy personnel accused of conspiring from April 2001 to mid-June 2003 to embezzle and steal money from a program providing educational benefits for veterans.
According to the indictment handed up on Tuesday in Dallas, they conspired to apply for reimbursement checks, under the VA's Tuition Assistance Top Up (TATU) active duty educational assistance reimbursement program, and direct deposits for educational classes never attended.
The indictment alleges a loss of at least $100,000. The defendants are accused of recruiting other active duty Navy personnel to participate in the scheme and divided the proceeds among the participants.
Sambau Mau, 27, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and 12 counts of theft of government property.
Charged with at least one count of theft of government property are Shawn Johnson, 33; Samuel N. Reeves, 28; Gloria Richardson, 24; and Tonya D. Wilson, 27, all of the Dallas-Fort Worth area; Jeffrey Hunter, 35, of Gulfport, Miss.; and Pedro H. Lugo-Ortiz, 24, of San Diego, Calif.
U.S. Attorney Jane Boyle said Mau was assigned to the Dallas Navy Recruiting District as a personnel clerk and had access to personal information pertaining to all enlisted Navy personnel and also acted as liaison between the Navy and the VA, coordinating educational benefits for Navy personnel.
The other defendants were active duty personnel with assignments in Dallas, Grand Prairie, Carrollton or at sea, officials said.
If convicted, Mau faces up to 125 years in prison, a fine of up to $3.25 million and mandatory restitution. The others, if convicted on all counts, face between 10 years and 50 years in prison, fines of from $250,000 to $1.25 million and mandatory restitution.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20030710-0628-vaindictments.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
6:28 a.m., July 10, 2003
DALLAS – A federal grand jury has indicted seven active-duty Navy personnel accused of conspiring from April 2001 to mid-June 2003 to embezzle and steal money from a program providing educational benefits for veterans.
According to the indictment handed up on Tuesday in Dallas, they conspired to apply for reimbursement checks, under the VA's Tuition Assistance Top Up (TATU) active duty educational assistance reimbursement program, and direct deposits for educational classes never attended.
The indictment alleges a loss of at least $100,000. The defendants are accused of recruiting other active duty Navy personnel to participate in the scheme and divided the proceeds among the participants.
Sambau Mau, 27, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and 12 counts of theft of government property.
Charged with at least one count of theft of government property are Shawn Johnson, 33; Samuel N. Reeves, 28; Gloria Richardson, 24; and Tonya D. Wilson, 27, all of the Dallas-Fort Worth area; Jeffrey Hunter, 35, of Gulfport, Miss.; and Pedro H. Lugo-Ortiz, 24, of San Diego, Calif.
U.S. Attorney Jane Boyle said Mau was assigned to the Dallas Navy Recruiting District as a personnel clerk and had access to personal information pertaining to all enlisted Navy personnel and also acted as liaison between the Navy and the VA, coordinating educational benefits for Navy personnel.
The other defendants were active duty personnel with assignments in Dallas, Grand Prairie, Carrollton or at sea, officials said.
If convicted, Mau faces up to 125 years in prison, a fine of up to $3.25 million and mandatory restitution. The others, if convicted on all counts, face between 10 years and 50 years in prison, fines of from $250,000 to $1.25 million and mandatory restitution.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20030710-0628-vaindictments.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: