Jury convicts Army veteran of embellishing health issues to defraud the VA

TOPEKA, KAN.– A federal jury convicted a U.S. Army veteran 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. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. According to court documents, James Bradford, 49, of Junction City was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of public money, property, or records. The VA operates the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). PCAFC provides monthly payments to individuals, typically family members, who care for qualified veterans and service members. The program is intended to compensate caregivers who spend substantial amounts of time providing care since that can limit their ability to work. Between August 2014 and July 2023, Bradford and his caregiver knowingly provided false and fraudulent statements concerning the level of care Mr. Bradford required from his caregiver. 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, from May 2016 until approximately 2025, Bradford worked for the federal government. He was employed by U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as a project manager in Topeka. His work duties included overseeing multi-million-dollar contracts between GSA and vendors. “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. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners who remain committed to hold accountable those who would defraud VA’s programs and services.” “Fraud against a program designed to provide essential care to veterans is unacceptable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division. “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.” The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case. ###