Filmmakers Convicted of Fraud Took Advantage of Wounded Marines

Filmmakers convicted of defrauding government with school to teach wounded Marines
LA Times
By TONY PERRY
July 10, 2015

Court documents put the alleged
fraud from the VA at up to $1.2 million.

A longtime filmmaker-cinematographer and his wife were convicted Friday of defrauding the federal government of several hundred thousand dollars while running a program billed as preparing wounded Marines for jobs in the film industry.

A federal court jury in San Diego convicted Kevin Lombard and Judith Paixao, both 61, of conspiracy to commit fraud, theft from an organization receiving federal funds, and filing false claims. Paixao was also convicted of mail fraud involving the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Prosecutors said the pair fraudulently billed the Department of Veterans Affairs for personal expenses, including cellphone bills for relatives, a Caribbean vacation, meals in fancy restaurants, and a New Year's Day sailing outing around San Diego Bay.

The VA was charged up to $88,000 per veteran for the 10-week course, according to evidence presented at trial.

The pair "capitalized on the misfortune of wounded Marines in their time of vulnerability and took advantage of the VA's commitment to serving wounded veterans," said U.S. Atty. Laura Duffy.
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