Fake dog trainer nailed for scamming veterans

#Middlebury #Veterans

I’ll admit, after reading about so many Department of Veterans Affairs-related crimes over the years, this is a new one. A judge has sentenced a Texas resident to 10 years in prison for scamming the VA out of a lot of money … for fake dog-and handler-training courses.

The scammer defrauded the VA by submitting 185 claims for courses that were supposed to train dogs and their handlers. Each course cost between $6,500 and $12,000.

On his application to create a training program that veterans could attend and use their education benefits, he lied. He listed the names and certifications of four real dog trainers as the instructors. Those people hadn’t given their permission, and one of them was deceased. Because of that fraud, he was ineligible to collect VA dollars.

Over time, he actually placed dogs with police departments, dogs he’d supposedly rescued from shelters and trained. Of the veterans who’d actually tried to take the course, however, 81% were dissatisfied.

The scammer was nailed for two counts of money laundering, two instances of submitting a false tax return, eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Not only is he going to the slammer, he forfeited a big pile of cash and property, including multiple vehicles, a luxury motor home, jet skis, a trailer and more.

He allegedly sought a presidential pardon. He didn’t get it. What he did get on multiple websites were comments from people who didn’t hold back in their disgust for what he’d done.

What we’d like to know, however, is whether there was ever a question of animal abuse. It was reported that 31 dogs were found in the raid of the property, but only 26 were taken to local shelters. It was also reported that some of the dogs died due to bad health. Surely that’s good for another 10 years, right?

© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

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