DOJ: US Army veteran defrauded the VA of over $170,000
The U.S. Department of Justice seal on a podium in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A U.S. Army veteran has been found guilty of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of over $170,000 in caregiver benefit payments that he was not entitled to receive.
What we know:
The Department of Justice says a federal jury convicted James Bradford, 49, of Junction City, Kansas on one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of public money, property, or records.
According to court documents, from August 2014 to July 2023, Bradford and his caregiver knowingly provided false and fraudulent statements concerning the level of care Bradford required from his caregiver through the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
The PCAFC program provides monthly payments to individuals, typically family members, who care for qualified veterans and service members.
Bradford and his caregiver reported he was unable to provide himself with basic care such as medication management, organizing financial affairs, and transportation, which required his caregiver to do on his behalf.
Court records show that Bradford and his caregiver reported he was unable to provide himself basic care such as medication management, organizing financial affairs, and transportation, which required his caregiver to do on his behalf.
However, the DOJ says from May 2016 until approximately 2025, Bradford worked for the federal government as a project manager with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in Topeka overseeing multi-million-dollar contracts between GSA and vendors.
What they're saying:
"Safeguarding benefits for veterans is a priority, and our investigators work diligently to ensure that VA’s programs are not exploited for financial gain by fraudulent actors," said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office in a release.
"Fraud against a program designed to provide essential care to veterans is unacceptable. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to stop fraud and ensure federal programs operate with integrity," said Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division in a release.
Dig deeper:
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and the U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.
A sentencing date for Bradford is pending.
The Source: This article includes information from the Department of Justice. This story was reported from Orlando.