Man dupes VA, collects dead sister’s benefits

#Middlebury #Veterans

A man on the East Coast pretended to be his deceased sister for over two years, taking veterans disability benefits that continued to be deposited in her bank account … except it was more complicated than just spending the money that appeared in her account.

Two and a half years after the sister’s death, the Department of Veterans Affairs figured out she was deceased and stopped the direct deposit. The man called the VA, pretending to be his sister, and informed them that she wasn’t actually dead. The VA immediately restarted the deposits and even sent back payments.

Seven months later, the VA again realized the sister had died and called the phone number where she used to live. Her brother answered and said he was the sister, still alive, and the VA kept sending the money. The following month he left a voicemail at the VA and said to only communicate by fax or email, and he helpfully provided a new street address. Eventually he was caught and pleaded guilty to one count of stealing government property.

It was over 30 months before the VA first noticed the sister was dead and stopped the payments. Three times the man impersonated his sister and lied to the VA on the phone. He forged her signature. He stole money. For this he was sentenced to six measly months in prison. It could have been 10 years.

Yes, he has to pay the money back. Yes, he’s going to have two years of supervised release once he gets out. But where is the incentive to other would-be crooks to stay clear of this kind of activity? His sister died (and he started taking the money) in January 2015. As of this writing he still hasn’t been required to report to prison.

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.