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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A betrayal of the badge': Florida police captain one of 11 indicted in years-long VA disability fraud scheme
A Haines City police captain is among 11 people indicted in a scheme to defraud Veterans Affairs (VA), according to reporting from FOX 13. Captain Gabriel Garcia, who has served with the department since 2007, is accused of fraudulently obtaining a 100% VA disability rating through a years-long scheme orchestrated by allegedly corrupt VA employees. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) According to the VA, a veteran with a 100% disability rating would receive $3,831.30 per month, with additional payments for each dependent spouse, parent and child under the age of 18. Federal prosecutors say the scheme, which ran from 2020 to 2025, was orchestrated by Ángel Carrer-Rivera, a now former VA employee in Puerto Rico, and Richard Rivera-Maitin, a veteran and auto shop owner. Carrer-Rivera allegedly abused his access to the Veterans Benefits Management System to route claims from the defendants to employees he supervised. Those claims had reportedly been prepped with false medical conditions. Meanwhile, Rivera-Maitin allegedly coached veterans on what symptoms to claim at doctor's appointments and charged fees in exchange for helping secure disability ratings. The group created fraudulent claims for lifetime benefits to be submitted and approved, resulting in what officials called a 'substantial financial loss' to the United States. Other defendants in the case include a Department of Homeland Security officer, a flight attendant, Garcia's mother and other veterans and their spouses. Following Garcia's arrest, Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood released this statement: "The conduct that led to this arrest is a betrayal of the badge and everything this department stands for. We will not tolerate dishonor in our ranks and will continue holding ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and accountability." According to the United States Attorney's Office, the defendants in this case could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and up to 20 years for "substantive and conspiracy mail and wire fraud counts," Fox 13 reports. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Unfortunately, the Haines City case isn't an isolated incident. VA benefit fraud is a persistent and growing problem, with schemes ranging from exaggerated disability claims to predatory practices by unaccredited advisors. With the VA disbursing more than $135 billion annually in benefits, the system has become an appealing target for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), veterans reported $292 million in losses due to fraud in 2022. This number includes all scam types — not just benefits fraud — but highlights how aggressively veterans are being targeted. Some of the more common VA scams include: Veterans falsely claiming or exaggerating disabilities, like in the Garcia case. So-called 'claim sharks' — unaccredited 'advisors' who charge veterans fees for services that are otherwise free through the VA. Promises to 'speed up' applications or guarantee a 100% disability rating, which only the VA can legally determine. Experts say expansions to VA benefits signed in 2022 — including those tied to toxic exposure and burn pit smoke inhalation — may be fueling fraud attempts by expanding eligibility and creating more opportunities for abuse. The VA has taken several steps to combat fraud. The 2017 "Seek to Prevent Fraud, Waste and Abuse' program aimed to centralize and strengthen fraud prevention efforts across the VA. More recently, in 2024, the VA and the White House launched a platform providing veterans with resources to identify and report scams. President Trump also signed an executive order to improve accountability and whistleblower protection within the VA, establishing an office dedicated to these efforts. However, later proposals to cut tens of thousands of VA employees have raised concerns among veteran advocates, who say reducing staff could make it harder to investigate and prevent fraud. VA Secretary Doug Collins recently reassured veterans that the agency is reinforcing, not cutting, essential services and urged veterans to seek information directly from VA, not third-party claims companies. As this case shows, fraudulent claims not only steal taxpayer money but also threaten public trust in a system meant to help those who served our country. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Haines City police captain among 10 indicted in Veterans Affairs fraud scheme
The Brief A Haines City police captain was among 10 defendants indicted in a Veterans Affairs fraud scheme. HCPD Captain Gabriel Garcia was among the veterans who fraudulently received a 100% disability rating. Officials with the police department said they were both angered and deeply disappointed by the arrest. HAINES CITY, Fla. - A captain with the Haines City Police Department was arrested on Thursday as part of a Veterans Affairs fraud scheme, according to officials. The police department said Captain Gabriel Garcia, who was hired back in November 2007, was arrested following an investigation led by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view Federal prosecutors said Garcia was arrested alongside 10 other people after a federal grand jury returned a 49-count indictment for defrauding the government to obtain Veterans Affairs disability benefits. From 2020 to 2025, one of the defendants, Puerto Rican resident Ángel Carrer-Rivera, used his position as a VA employee to access the Veterans Benefits Management System and assign particular claims to VA employees that he supervised, according to court documents. During this time, prosecutors said he also communicated with co-defendant, Puerto Rican resident Richard Rivera-Maitin, about what false medical conditions should be claimed by specific veterans to get fraudulently obtained disability benefits. READ: Davenport man kills adult stepson after a child grabbed gun while being punished for playing Fortnite: Police Dig deeper Together, the pair and various veterans caused fraudulent claims for lifetime VA disability benefits to be submitted and approved based on false medical conditions, officials said. By doing this, prosecutors said the defendants "financially enriched themselves and caused a substantial financial loss to the United States." Federal prosecutors said Carrer-Rivera and Rivera-Maitin charged and received payments for facilitating the approval of VA disability applications based on false information. The veterans who participated in the scheme fraudulently received VA disability benefit payments, according to federal investigators. Garcia, according to prosecutors, was one of the veterans who fraudulently received a 100% disability rating. MORE: Largo man charged after bomb hoax at FBI Tampa Field Office The other defendants who are also facing charges include Victor Garcia-Soto, Brenda Garcia (who is the mother of the Haines City police captain), Randolph Báez, José Torres-Rosado, Eladio Pagán, Ignacio Ramos-Class and Félix Arroyo-Rivera. What they're saying Officials with the city and the police department said they were both angered and deeply disappointed by the arrest, saying, "law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law with honor and integrity. When someone in a position of leadership betrays that oath, it undermines public trust and discredits the profession." Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood released the following statement after Garcia's arrest: "The conduct that led to this arrest is a betrayal of the badge and everything this department stands for. Leadership in law enforcement carries a greater burden of responsibility, and when that trust is broken, it damages the profession and the community. We will not tolerate dishonor in our ranks and will continue holding ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and accountability." HCPD officials said they are committed to fully cooperating with federal authorities as their investigation continues. READ: Florida woman strikes man in MAGA hat at a Largo park before battering an officer: Documents The defendants in this case could face a slew of penalties if they are convicted. That includes: Up to five years of imprisonment for conspiracy to defraud the United States Up to 20 years of imprisonment for the substantive and conspiracy mail and wire fraud counts. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 arrested following standoff at Black Hills horse barn
CUSTER, SD (KELO) — Authorities have arrested two Rapid City men following a weekend standoff at a horse barn in the southern Black Hills. It started Saturday morning when witnesses reported two men burglarizing storage units south of Custer. Custer County Search and Rescue used a drone to locate the men holed-up in a barn south of Pringle. Law enforcement believed the two were armed with weapons stolen from one of the storage units. Authorities say they tried for hours to talk the men into coming out, but there was no response. Then, the Special Response Team from Rapid City arrived with their armored Bearcat vehicle and the suspects surrendered. Charges are pending against 50-year-old Jonathon Chamley and 47-year-old Gabriel Garcia. Investigators say both men have lengthy criminal records in Pennington and Meade counties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
