WASHINGTON ― A former Department of Veterans Affairs employee has been indicted on charges of wire fraud, bribery and theft involving veteran disability benefit funds.
Maryland resident Russell M. Ware was charged with four counts of wire fraud in conjunction with a scheme to steal up to $66,000 from the VA, one count of bribery and one count of government property theft.
Between September 2013 and May 2014, Ware allegedly schemed to take almost $21,000 in VA disability benefit money and from October 2014 to February 2015, had directed $46,000 in disability benefits to Jacqueline Crawford, who was not entitled to said funds.
Through Walmart2Walmart money transfers, Crawford subsequently kicked $13,000 back to Ware, according to authorities. In February 2017, she pleaded guilty to one count of government property theft related to Ware’s plan. Both Crawford and Ware are currently awaiting trial.
