Florida veteran not disabled, "ordered to pay $243,243.05 in restitution"

Veteran ordered to pay back thousands in VA benefits

WEAR 3 ABC News
by Auriette Lindsey
September 3rd 2019

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR-TV) — A veteran from Santa Rosa County has been sentenced to three years probation and must pay thousands of dollars in restitution.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Lawrence Keefe, announced the sentence on Tuesday.

46-year-old Bryan S. Gaines of Milton pleaded guilty to theft of government money and making false statements.

Between 2011 and 2018, he falsely reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that he was not working and unable to work.

He received disability benefits based on those claims.

A federal judge ordered Bryan Gaines of Milton to repay $243,243.05 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to making false statements. (Image: MGN)

Keefe said, "Stealing from the VA is tantamount to stealing from each of the brave men and women who have served our nation in times of war and times of peace."

Gaines was ordered to pay $243,243.05 in restitution.
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