Latest news with #disabilityfraud
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.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Female cop who claimed $600k while saying she was too sick to work caught in disgraceful lie
A former California police officer was caught dancing and drinking at a music festival while claiming $600,000 in disability, according to officials. Nicole Brown, 39, of Riverside, is facing a total of 15 felony counts for allegedly stealing the large sum in workers' compensation payments. Brown, formerly with the Westminster Police Department, claimed to be completely disabled due to a cut to her forehead she suffered while handcuffing a suspect. Prosecutors in Orange County say an emergency room doctor released her to work that same day without any restrictions. After calling out sick for days after the incident in 2022, she was diagnosed with severe concussion syndrome and signed off work, as well as being on total disability. Authorities say she never returned to work for over a year, and that she fraudulently collected over $600,000 from the city while on leave. This included her full salary, which was tax-free, and all of her medical expenses, according to prosecutors. As she collected the disability payments, authorities allege that she was seen dancing and drinking at the Stagecoach Music Festival. Her attendance was reported to Westminster Police Department, who then referred the case to the district attorney's office. Prosecutors say that there investigation uncovered she had ran in two 5K races and went snowboarding or skiing in Big Bear and Mammoth. She is also said to have attended three soccer conferences, attended baseball games, played golf, and gone to Disneyland. While claiming disability, Brown complained of headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, and an inability to work a computer or phone. Three days after she was allegedly spotted at Stagecoach, Brown had a Zoom call to discuss what duties she could actually perform as a cop. Prosecutors say during this call that Brown claimed she couldn't look at the screen and was sitting in a dark room. Her stepfather Peter Gregory Schuman, a Buena Park-based lawyer who works in workers' compensation, spoke on her behalf. Schuman allegedly did all of the talking for her, saying she couldn't do paperwork, and was unsure if she could use her cell phone to make calls. Following the meeting Brown, alongside Schuman, was allegedly admitted to an in-patient center for individuals who have a traumatic brain injury. For his part, Schuman is being charged with a count of making a fraudulent insurance claim and another assisting Brown. If he is convicted he faces eight years in a state prison and as attorney may suffer further disciplinary action from the State Bar of California. Brown is facing a maximum sentence of 22 years in a state prison if she is convicted on all counts. Her attorney Brian Gurwitz told The LA Times: 'Ms. Brown is not guilty of this what the prosecution has alleged. 'She was seriously injured on duty and intends to fight these allegations.' Gurwitz also said that Schuman is still in the process of finding legal representation. has attempted to contact him directly.
