Man Faces Sentencing In VA Benefit Fraud Scheme

Many people try to con government programs in order to receive money and other benefits. This is a common tactic but it’s against the law. It can lead to harsh punishment.
A Maryland man who lied about a service-related injury fraudulently obtained more than $750,000 in disability benefits. He was recently sentenced to home confinement.
A Baltimore County man who lied about needing a wheelchair for a service-related injury was sentenced to home confinement after prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained more than $750,000 in disability benefits.
In June, the 44-year-old man was found guilty of wire fraud and theft of government property. The case went to court and the trial lasted four days.
The man served in the Army from 1998 to 2007. In 2005, he was temporarily paralyzed after being injured in a bombing in Iraq. The man applied to the VA’s disability compensation program and made substantial progress toward recovery. In fact, six weeks after the injury, he was no longer paralyzed. According to a subsequent medical report, the man was able to perform certain essential daily activities with complete or modified independence.
However, despite his improvement, the man was granted permanent disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This decision was based on an exam conducted in October 2007. That was when he reported paralysis in his lower extremities and claimed to be confined to a wheelchair.
In 2018, the Office of Inspector General launched an investigation after learning that the man’s conduct was inconsistent with his physical condition. Over a period of two years, investigators gathered video surveillance footage that showed the man walking, going up and down stairs, lifting, and bending. He was also seen entering and exiting vehicles and carrying items without any limitations.
The man was not using a wheelchair except for when he attended VA medical appointments. Between March 2019 and February 2021, investigators observed the man standing and loading his wheelchair into the trunk of his car before appointments. He would then use a wheelchair at the appointments, wheel himself to his car, and then stand to load his wheelchair back into his car.
The man received more than $8,000 per month in disability benefits from the VA. In addition, he was able to obtain grants for a specially adapted vehicle and housing. However, the man used the money to purchase a BMW 645ci luxury sports coupe.
The man was convicted of fraud and sentenced to one year of home confinement. After that, he faces two years of supervised release.
Learn More About Veterans Benefits
VA benefits are for those with valid disabilities. Lying about one’s medical condition in order to receive monetary compensation is not only unethical but also illegal.
Fraud makes it hard for those who are truly disabled to get the compensation they deserve. Need help? Get assistance from a White Plains veterans disability benefits lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon. schedule a consultation to learn more. Fill out the online form or call 914-294-2145.
Source:
nottinghammd.com/2024/10/18/baltimore-county-man-sentenced-after-pretending-to-be-paralyzed-to-receive-va-benefits/