Conviction: Crack Cocaine For Veterans Health Records In Credit Card Fraud
A Tampa Bay woman was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for engaging in a credit card fraud scheme involving her use of medical records belonging to a veteran. The perpetrator also must pay a judgment of $1,386.39.
This story was buried on the interwebs – – I had to use a specialty news service to find it, which has been the case lately for a lot of news finding when it comes to VA.
Curious.
Using basic Google, we now get loads of repeater articles about the same topics the establishment wants us to discuss rather than the deeper issues, such as veterans records being sold for crack cocaine as a result of insufficient protection of veterans health records.
How many cases are like this one where veterans’ records are used to facilitate drug deals or other fraud schemes? What steps is VA taking to mitigate this risk?
Tampa VA Fraud Scheme
Nejah Prince, 33 years old, was convicted February 2017 but not sentenced until last week. Prince fraudulently used the identity of at least one veteran to open a credit card at Montgomery Ward. During the investigation, the IRS learned Prince also used numerous other identities to file fraudulent income tax returns.
What the newest DOJ report below does not mention is how Prince came into possession of medical records from the Department of Veterans Affairs belonging to a veteran. Luckily, a little digging revealed the following details.
David Lewis, a VA employee working at James A Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida, sold the medical records of over 100 veterans whose identities were used in a false claims scheme of fraudulent tax refunds totaling $105,271.
One Of The Victims
One individual affected was Ryan Timoney while he was still recovering from a suicide bomber blast while in Afghanistan that resulted in the partial amputation of one of his legs.
The transaction that led to the arrest in question took place in June 2012.
Lewis sold the medical records that included a name, birth date and Social Security for crack cocaine. Timoney knew something was wrong when he was mailed a receipt for a TV bought in his name that he did not actually purchase.
Lewis Sentencing In 2014
Lewis was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the crime and a money judgment of $105,271. According to DOJ, on at least 5 occasions Lewis accessed and printed the personal information, including names, social security numbers, and medical information, of over 100 veterans who were in-patients at Tampa VA.
About the Lewis prosecution and sentencing in 2014…
“David Lewis’s sentence today of 72 months holds Lewis accountable for his criminal actions,” said James Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI. “Lewis misused his position of trust as an employee of the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital and stole the identities of veterans and war heroes. These identities were used to file false income tax returns. Members of the Tampa Bay Alliance including as the Veterans Administration-Office of Inspector General, the Tampa Police Department together with IRS-CI will continue to aggressively investigate these cases and hold those who commit these crimes accountable for their actions.”
After the Lewis sentencing, Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said “This case is the collective work of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue those that commit identity theft. The fact that a person who was charged to care for veterans used that position to steal their identity is reprehensible.”
“Stealing and selling the identity of a war hero is as low as it gets. Thankfully, the work of the Tax Fraud Alliance in the Tampa Bay Area is making it very difficult to target veterans,” said Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor.
Credit Card Fraud Conviction Announcement June 4, 2018
Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich has sentenced Nejah Prince (33, Tampa) to four years and nine months in federal prison for access device (credit card) fraud and for filing false claims against the United States. As part of Prince’s sentence, the court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $1,386.39, the proceeds of the fraud. Prince pleaded guilty on February 16, 2017.
According to court documents, in February 2013, officers from the Tampa Police Department executed a search warrant at Prince’s home. During the search, they found copies of confidential patient medical records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), notebooks with the personal identifying information of at least 200 individuals, reloadable debit cards, and several tax returns. Further investigation revealed that Prince had used the identity of one person whose name was on a VA medical record to open a credit account at Montgomery Ward. She then made $1,300 in purchases using that account. In addition, IRS agents discovered that many of the identities found during the search warrant had been used in the filing of false and fraudulent income tax returns.
“Working together with our law enforcement partners we have come a long way in the effort to eradicate identity theft from our community. Would-be identity thieves should not rest easy because we will not give up the fight,” said Special Agent in Charge Mary Hammond of IRS Criminal Investigation. “These crooks use stolen identities to defraud the government, but it is the untold devastation their actions inflict on the lives of their victims that drives our Special Agents to employ their unique financial expertise to tirelessly track down these criminals.”
This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara C. Sweeney and Jay L. Hoffer.
Take Away
I have heard similar stories over the years and cannot help but wonder whether VA is truly taking steps to minimize cases like this. Ever hear of related stories? Were you impacted by a fraud scheme where a VA employee stole your records?
Wish they would just give them the maximum sentence allowed for doing this to disabled Vets just to set an example to other VA employees that are doing this scam or have thought about doing this scam. Out in a couple years or so when the prison is over-crowded or ‘good time applied’ to their sentence. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have thousands of names and SS numbers stashed somewhere for when they get out to do it all over again…
To the brother in Indiana, did you see this crap? If you google it, there’s a video. Also, a picture of the “Cross” in question!
“Man Allegedly Asked To Leave Restaurant Over Cross Necklace”
By Scott Kelnhofer
June 10, 2018 at 11:19am
An Indiana man claims a night out with friends turned embarrassing when he was asked to leave a restaurant because of his cross necklace.
Jerry Bond said he and a group of friends were visiting Kilroy’s Bar N’ Grill, a restaurant in the Indianapolis suburb of Broad Ripple, last month when a bouncer approached him and gave him a shocking ultimatum.
“The bouncer comes back over, really bad attitude, [and says] ‘We’re going to ask you to either tuck your necklace, remove it or you have to leave,” Bond said.
According to Bond, the bouncer said the cross on the necklace was too big.
Bond had no plans to tuck in his cross.
“I’m not going to tuck my cross in because of my beliefs,” he said. “I believe in wearing this cross and what it represents.”
Bond said he opted to leave the restaurant instead of not displaying his cross.
“It was a horrible situation. And I mean, it was embarrassing just to go somewhere and try to enjoy friends and company and get embarrassed like this for no reason,” Bond said. “It’s like I was just singled out for no reason.”
Was this restaurant out of line for its policy on chain necklaces?
According to the dress code posted outside the restaurant’s entrance, Kilroy’s prohibits the wearing of large chains worn outside of shirts.
David Latimore, a minister who was with Bond, said the restaurant’s manager could not tell the group what the restaurant defines as a “large chain.”
“So I asked him, ‘What is a large necklace? What does that mean? What size is large?’ He couldn’t tell me,” Latimore said.
Latimore said he sent an email to the owner of the restaurant to ask for more details about the policy. But after not receiving a sufficient reply, he organized a protest that took place Saturday.
“We showed up and did what we had to do at Kilroy’s,” Latimore said in a video posted to his Facebook account. “That was only Phase 1. Don’t you ever believe that’s the end of it. I appreciate and am so grateful for those who came out. It was an awesome thing. We did what God would have us to do.”
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Tags: Christianity, Discrimination, Indiana, religious freedom
By: Scott Kelnhofer on June 10, 2018 at 11:19am
Wow, no, thanks Elf. We have to dig for info from the capitol city since they cancelled their news channels here on cable and satellite services. Got one PBS channel back. And their papers that used to be commonly, easily, found here for sale or in the public library is hard to find and no longer in the library. Not many state or national news papers in the library today. Totalitarian crack-down on the spread of info or access to it then people wonder why it pisses me off.
That is also an example of why I posted out here about Indy and the VA area being so damned dangerous at times to be around or when driving around there. Especially when traffic is detoured and one never knows which or what horrible neighborhood we might end up in. Or when mobs of foreigners in the streets or highways stopping traffic and I didn’t know what the heck was going on, and having to tell people I wasn’t giving out any money to the beggars. Some would get upset. Patient Advocates always told me about how safe I was and Indy being one big fluffy loving community. Ha. Also since a ball-bat on VA turf was considered to be a weapon so an old gimp is limited on our security or taking chances of having what in our vehicles due to being searched on their property for something.
Broad Ripple used to be the old hippy lefty 24 hour party time kinda part of town. One of many. Probably still is and lefties around here, and there, can be just as bad as any other mob or gang-like mentality or group think. “Nuvo” the lefty alternative news was the only free rag to read while at the VA promoting nothing but far lefty stuff, and went fast at the VA seemingly. Broad Ripple types along with the many VA staff, union members, just love that rag mag.
As for the religious traditions of man as churches are silent on it, there is a lot of hate or dislike towards so-called Christians especially in college towns contrary to what is shown on TV or allowed to be shown in public by a lot of people, groups, other religions, or students. I’ve talked to too many youngsters, students, who don’t like the religious or liberal stuff going on on campus. With socialism or Marxism taking controls. Depends on social status and connections too. I am not liked by both or either of the many sides, one side for not fitting in with the traditionalist (a non-conformist), or well established types or will speak well of TV evangels ( I am not perfect nor a puritan), and the lefties, Cath’s who abhor anything to the right or moderate of their views and by the atheist, scientific/academic to the Scientologist or cult types. I am not exactly liked or believed when I reported about having one of those Big Book real spiritual experiences changing my life but I was again the crazy one by many and by all the educated Big Book promoting professionals. So damned one way, damned the other. lol Impossible to please them all out there so I might as well please myself as the song goes. Also when it comes to corruption, exposing evil, politics, over the years I found out I can’t trust most connected to any of the above, preachers included. Too much quid pro quo and too far away from being anything like the old “Black Robe Regiments” circa 1776.
On a good note I got one promised phone call from the clinic I’ve been battling with. No results yet, no files forwarded, maybe tomorrow after months. But now a switch… no guarantee the new MD will accept me. (!) My how things change. Oh well. Have a good one folks and thanks again Elf.
I don’t have a single problem with this. Freedom of religion is also freedom from religion.
I find it surprising that it’s taken this long to start fighting fire with fire.
I look forward to more No cross policies.
WyldeChylde,
Sorry to inform you. The Constitution in our Republic reads “Freedom of Religion”! Meaning, NO one can discriminate against anyone over what they wear in a “public forum”!
SCOTUS has already rendered decisions on this multiple times!
That gentleman WAS entitled to wear whatever he wanted in that restaurant. Because it is a public forum.
Lastly, it was the “chain” the “cross” dangled from which was the distraction! And, since the owner could not answer a simple question, screw him and his establishment!
ARE YOU F**KING KIDDING ME!!!!!
A couple of low level dope fiend fools ( at least one a VA Employee) feel the full wrath of the U.S Government for having access to and abuse of the PII, PHI of maybe 100 veterans. Get real people.
How about a whole department full of mid to high level administrators at a VA Hospital abusing this sort of information on a much grander scale than the crackheads ever thought of doing. After reporting situation to top level administration here is how it played out.
Step 1. Report situation to top level administration
Step 2. Investigation initiated by CIO and PO
Step 3. Claims of abuse of veterans and patient/veterans records unsubstantiated.
Step 4.Investigation closed.
Step 5. Retaliation against whistleblower begins….and continues!!!
Would this qualify as a buried in the interwebs of the administration stories??? Just say’in
The VA’s safekeeping of records is shaky at best.While a patient at Jack C Montgomery VA hospital in Muskogee Okla. I found that my records were openly accessible to any one and everyone had access to my records.A flag had been placed on my record to show every time the record was opened.After about two weeks I sat down with hospital security.They had a 3 page list of ongoing traffic involving my record.Everyone even the shuttle driver for the hospital had been in my records on night shift.I had a restriction or so I was told that there is now restricted access to my records to put a stop to the public access to my medical records and invasion to my privacy.
i had similar thing happen to me at West LA VA. while being admitted as an impatient. a va staff person said they need to collect my wallet and other valuables for safe keeping while being treated in hospital. That made sense to me. THey said they wouuld inventory evrything and put it in a sealed envelope and lock it in a safe at the va. And it would not be touched until it was given back to me when being discharged or at time i may need it. about a mornth or so later i saw two strange tgrtansactions on my bank statement. Someone had used my debit cridit card to make a purchase at a gas station for about $20 dollars and another transaction to a telecomunications company for about over $2000 dollars. I was devestated. I had to sort out getting to a branch and report the fruadulent transactions. they said they would investigat end would refund money to me if it is show fraudulent ransactions had been done on my account, but i would still have to pay a $50 deductable. I am still out that money and the time i spent on htis.. and the ptsd i now have when thinking about using the va for meical care. I also wonder how many other veterans had been scammed by some va employee(s) when trusting them with their perosnal id and credicards for sadfe keeping while being treated at the va.
I too often ponder if the steps that are taken even with the best of intentions by the rats will mitigate this sort of undesirable behavior by the rats. Tell me again Ben, do the rats here lay out the maze, or do they hide the cheese, or are they the ones with button for the electric floor?
Trick question, right?
All of the above…
Benjamin Krause
What are the “specialty news service(s)” for finding the hidden news?
Something else that occurs to me. In future events of veterans being the victim of ID theft perhaps the prosecutors should also start charging stolen valor on top of other charges. Seems like it should fly.
Stealing and selling the identity of a war hero is as low as it gets.
Hey, Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, ya might wanna take a good look at this:
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6OAzGMV_wQ”
Let us all know when your done prosecuting……….like that is EVER going to happen, I won’t hold my breath, you’ve all only known about this crap since at least, ohhhh I don’t know……19 fucking 68?
cj. Been subscribed to his channel for a few years now but nothing new coming out of it.
Time is not on our side for many obvious reasons.
Those in control of any of our files can do whatever they like with them. Hold them, destroy them, forge them, scrub them into oblivion, lose some, keep info out of them, add nonsense to them, spread them around like Skippy PB. The elite at the top and a long line of others just don’t care. We can prove law breaking, federal crimes, expose some corruption/games/attacks/threats then hear crickets or have to play the wait game. Meanwhile we have wasted time in years not mere days, money and energy playing hoops, sending certified mail, countless emails, contacting anyone imaginable that is supposed to be there to help, phone calls, nada. Nothing but BS and cover-ups from the top down in perfectly orchestrated and choreographed style to jack our worlds up or ruin us, and to protect all the filth along the way. To which I have found out it’s not only in the VA over their style of care or circus maximus. Many times word for word becoming cliche and over-used. Looks and attitudes too while pretending to be ‘professionals.’ Like I was again promised a phone call today by the admin of the civy clinic I was harassed away from due to VA retaliation, identity politics, local community/union crap, and medical establishments horse poop. Not a ring and won’t be. Like trying to get X-rays over the broken jaw the VA gave me … didn’t happen and won’t.
Pretty damn sad when all the evils can network to make peoples lives pure hell, our names become a knee-jerk reaction for negative responses, remarks like I’ve heard about you, got a phone call about you, or to the point of any health care in non-existent for years. Along with basic human rights, common citizen needs or wants and such is out the window. And people want to be ruled by one party rulers and the corrupt while others fear getting involved?
Then considering when contacting all the politicians out there who will not believe what we report they want copies and access to all our files which are corrupted as hell and will not prove anything in our favor. Also all the while anyone spoken to can’t believe the mighty VA, staff, civy care workers, local politicians, etc., and others would be that evil or unethical to do what they do or treat us the way they do. In those nice acceptable tones or not. On top of hard evidence I’ve told them to put me on a damned lie detector and see who is telling the truth or not, listen to some recordings….not happening, chuckles.
Nothing is going to change and the public doesn’t give a rat’s butt like the VSOs and others couldn’t care less. Hell, Ben’s board here is a fine example of that. No real offerings of help, no media interests, no reaching out from politicians or gubbermint, special interests, nothing. Then asswipes wonder why we do and think the way we do.
Vets praying on Vets? A high percentage of VA employees are veterans who know the system well enough to do this kind of thing.
There’s more to this story and most likely more veterans being targeted by these hood rats, and the VA probably tried to sweep it under the mat so no one would be the wiser
Censoring is not going to get better. Now perhaps the rest of the nation, those who care, are experiencing what some of us have in Indiana now for years concerning news being blocked, no local government transparency, no questions or comments from inquiring minds or concerned vets/citizens allowed if not aligned with the corrupt or far left agendas, no negatives about the corrupt community allowed, the covering up for criminals and the corrupt, etc. Maybe some retaliation. Not fun is it? What is Trump or those in high offices doing about it rather than claiming their ‘hands are tied?” So much for all that America first, second and third shit.
This is another example of “affirmative action.” Employ the worse of the worse or break laws or be labeled about not going along with the diversity agendas or forced integration policies. Equal Opportunity Employment regardless of ability or criminal records. Indiana just passed laws that allowed DACA people, not youth, to be placed or hired by all levels of government and professional medical/IT services including the VA. Plus the twenty thousand new immigrants allowed to flood in here in just one major city where there the VA hospital exists. While there are those here that want all the above employed first and taken care of first before Americans or vets. Oh I am such a hater.
The in-crowds know when they are going to be tested. They can spend twenty bucks and get a quick system flush drink that allows them to pass any testing. Or those doing the testing are corrupt as hell and will not show test results as dirty. Could be because fear of the hood, or brother/sister-hood that exists. Obviously there are strong bonds between professional staff, the AFGE, SEIU, etc. All the state’s CBOCs to the major hospital many train and hob-knob together. No denying that. Circle those wagons unless somebody screws-up so badly they can’t be protected that much.
Again talking to locals and those in the past known for their computer expertise claim nothing is safe, secure, not hackable, given out freely, shared by activist, or can’t be found out about us.
Their was chatter years back around 2013 in the big city about vets having ID & credit card issues. Last I heard anything more about it or around long enough to find out anything more.
During one of my SSRI VA trips, dulling memory, I was called about a clown using my social which was correct but other info wrong. Turned out to be an illegal pulling numbers out of the air supposedly and using dead peoples names out of grave-yards or obits creating identification and residence. I asked if they were going to jail and ‘whomever’ it was stated that is not a criminal or punishable offense just for claiming to making numbers up instead of ‘stealing them’ or intentionally using one or more against a specific victim or person. Probably why today in our sixties we have to take down a stamped, motorized birth cert, three or four other forms of proof of citizenship, bills, and residence to get a red star on our license in-case we need to fly or get into special areas the state or feds determined we have the red star on our drivers license to enter or drive through.
Four weeks and just went up to get copies for my own carry. Previous request to have my files sent to a new MD was said to have been done last month on the 17th but they can’t or won’t provide evidence of it. Nor did they give my their real names to use or give me a copy of my request today for my files to be sent to me… or how much it would cost. Quickly excused themselves and walked on and my sugar was dropping and tired of waiting and playing the game. More waiting. They gave plenty of excuses… oh the fax machine may be down, numbers changed, new staff at both ends, blah blah. Didn’t seem too concerned about how and why I was harassed so bad and chased off from their lousy care or doing the exact same crap the VA played. So I don’t know.
Obvious here and at the VA: “https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10999&utm_campaign=CampusWire&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=63655151&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_hT4YD6nWQ06r8DQNNRT1NuYCHHuwjxdKXCsRhngrQ43FYdTOu1kN3zQRVZUlqqJ068t1MLUbtritsr3XB1ODUjcdtIQ&_hsmi=63655152”
“https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/06/10/western-world-truth-endangered-species-come-support/”
“https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/06/09/israel-purchased-american-legion/”
“https://flagandcross.com/wait-what-how-is-debbie-wasserman-shultzs-it-aide-getting-a-plea-deal/”
“https://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/the-aboslute-end-of-free-speech/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-aboslute-end-of-free-speech”
This country is in deep shit. Indiana is totally occupied and totally corrupted, VA or not.
I have heard and read that some veterans who have used the “MyHealthVet” have been scammed ( by VA Employee – going into a random veterans account and changing things on their own illegally.) by VA Employees and had their VA monthly payment changed from their bank to a VA Employee account to other banks etc! one veteran had it done not once but twice in 18-months!
Until I know for sure one reason I will not sign up to the VAs “MyHEalthyVet” Program.
I will continue to utilize traditional email when needed for my VA-PCP or others in the VA System. True not all VA Employees can get “outside VA Emails” but that is fine I usually dont need to “talk” tot hem via email.!
This is a bigger problem than one incident. Otherwise why the inability of a veteran to get his own medical records.
Not only do they NOT FOLLOW THE DAMN LAW, when it comes to FOIA, but each time you request a full copy of your records, either military, or VA, you get less and less.
Meanwhile, nobody was ever held accountable for this fucking disaster either not really:
“https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/federal-workers-dumped-stashed-or-trashed-records-at-st-louis/article_8611ae42-359d-539d-b21c-5e864b02d672.html”
Business as usual, same o same o.
And I can’t get my own medical records. Received another hoop to jump through after years of FOIA requests yesterday.
One thing this article did not mention is; Were the veterans, who’s finance’s were effected, notified?
We’re the veterans, where the IRS was involved, given their tax returns?
We’re the veterans, who were on “unemployability compensation”, screwed by their IU being removed?
If the veterans were removed from IU, was it reinstated?
Lastly, maybe it’s time for ALL government employees to be “randomly tested for any and all illicit drugs!”
Get found “using”, get FIRED immediately!
Once FIRED, the person cannot be rehired in any government agency!
If your wired, your fired………sounds simple enough………..oh, SNAP, thats right, we are talking about the VA and the AFGE, silly us…..
WHAT THE FUCK, VA?? WTF???????????!!!!!!!!!!!
You **never**EVER** HIRE A CRACKHEAD!!!!!!!!!! (crackheads have other priorities than Veteran Safety. Drug testing of employees? Do THEY EVEN TEST THESE ASSHOLES WORKING THERE? AFGE President ‘little” Cox is more worried about we lowly dangerous Veterans? HA HA HA HA HA………..
VA and AFGE, get your shit together or face one huge shitstorm from pissed-off Veterans.
(Who KNEW Montgomery Ward was even still existing….?) (catalogs and everything?)
Oh, and what’s that, Bay Pines, VA AFGE President? What was that again about WHITE PRIVILEGE? Thought so…rat fat bastards!
LMAOOOOOO nam@Montgomery Wards, I was thinking the exact same shit,” there still in business?”
Yeah yeah, I know I spelled “there” instead of they’re” so sue me..
Man this is wrong on sooooooooo many levels.
1. DON’T HIRE A GODDAMNED CRACKHEAD!!!!!
Why the holy crispy fuck isn’t the government conducting random piss tests on their fucking employees? I got plenty of fucking 04:00 wake up calls to go piss in a fucking cup when I was a federal employee. How the fuck does a CRACKHEAD slip through the, wait for it….wait for…it…CRACKS!!!
I mean it’s not like you can’t tell somebody has a crack habit after awhile. The jittery scratchy behavior is a dead give away. Did the offers to suck dick for 10 bucks in the hall go unnoticed. Or perhaps they where reported to the PA “sweep it under the rug” office…
4.75 years in ClubFed what a fucking joke. The only good crackhead is a dead crackhead.
^ 😀 😀 ^
I’m thinking the Florida patient advocates all got prorated $5. blowjobs in broom closets and shared crack…in more ways than one… 😀
Say THAT 3x fast: “Blowjobs In Broom Closets”. 😀