Marine Corps League Delaware County chapter officers face charges for stealing funds

Delaware County DA: Officers From Marine Corps League Arrested, Charged For Stealing Over $53,000 From Group

By CBS3 Staff
February 7, 2020

DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) — Two people are accused of stealing money from the Marine Corps League of Delaware County. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer says Alan Staniskis stole more than $53,000 from the group.

He was the commandant of the Upland Chapter of the organization.

The group’s paymaster, Kera Kiss, is also accused of altering the books to hide the improper withdrawals.
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Brother convicted of stealing over $300,000 from disabled veteran

Man who spent more than $300K of a disabled veteran’s benefits sentenced to 19 months in federal prison

FOX 43 News
BY SEAN NAYLOR
APRIL 16, 2019

Ehrhart submitted eight false annual accountings to the VA to conceal the embezzlement.

HARRISBURG — A Thompsontown man who spent $316,360 of a disabled veteran’s VA and Social Security benefits after becoming the veteran’s VA Fiduciary and Legal Custodian in 2006 was sentenced Monday to 19 months in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of PA.

Jason Ehrhart, 48, also must pay that total in restitution to his nephew (the veteran’s son). The veteran died at the VA Hospital in Lebanon in July 2018.
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Boots on Ground Founder indicted for embezzlement

Founder of veteran's non-profit arraigned on embezzlement charges

January 29, 2019

According to a federal indictment, Azevedo-Laboda used funds donated to Boots on Ground for personal bills made out to several companies, including Time Warner, First Energy, and National Fuel.

The founder of an Erie non-profit appears in federal court this morning.

Over the years, the Erie Community has gotten to know Venus Azevedo-Laboda for her work with veterans, but today, several of those veterans showed up to the hearing, many saying they're not surprised by the charges.

Azevedo-Laboda is accused of embezzling more than $7,000 from the non-profit she created, Boots on Ground.

The organization provides services to veterans transitioning back into civilian life and recovering from numerous disorders including post-traumatic stress.
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Money for homeless veterans used by employee?

Money Stolen From Veterans: Non-Profit Worker Sentenced
By California News Wire Services, News Partner
Aug 24, 2018

The money was supposed to help homeless veterans with short-term housing.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA —A former case worker at an East Bay nonprofit organization has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to one year in prison for stealing $26,300 in federal funds intended to aid homeless veterans with short-term housing.

William Andrews, 50, of Windsor, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco on Tuesday. Donato also ordered him to pay the government $26,300 in restitution.

Andrews pleaded guilty before Donato on April 25 to one count of theft of U.S. government property and acknowledged stealing a total of $26,300 in 2016.
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Woman Gets Jail After Using American Legion Auxiliary Funds For Herself

Clermont women sentenced to prison for theft of veterans organization
Orlando Sentinel
Jason Ruiter
November 4, 2016

When auxiliary officers asked for financial statements of the nonprofit during Briere's tenure, she "always had an excuse" not to provide the information, Rousseau said. Some of the money she embezzled was spent on a $6,000 ring, she said.

A 64-year-old Clermont woman who embezzled more than a half-million dollars from a veteran-services organization spent the money on jewelry, furniture and concert tickets, an officer from her organization said Friday.

Robin C. Briere stole more than $657,000 from the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida by writing checks to herself or paying her personal expenses with the organization's checks, according to court documents. She was sentenced to 33 months in prison Friday.

"It wasn't visible to us. We trusted her completely in the position that she had," said Diane Rousseau of Fruitland Park, auxiliary parliamentarian.

But when Brier left her position of seven years as secretary treasurer in 2014, the new treasurer found inconsistencies in her reports, she said.
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Ex-VA Employee Accused of Embezzling at Least $150,000

Ex-VA worker accused in theft, sex scandal 
Detroit Free Press
By Tresa Baldas
May 6, 2015

According to Lane's affidavit, Bates came under the radar of the Office of Inspector General in 2013, after an audit revealed more than $478,000 in potential losses from the VA Canteen.

A former government employee and high school baseball coach is accused of embezzling at least $150,000 from the Veterans Administration and spending it on sex dates with a stripper named Ashley, $500 lap dances and gambling, according to criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court.

Glenn Alan Bates, 57, of Saline, admitted to all this, the complaint states, during an interview last summer with federal agents in his living room, telling them he stole from vending machines and VA retail stores to help feed an addiction to sex with prostitutes and nude entertainers.

Bates, though, kept his alleged scheme secret as he was a longtime figure in Saline High School athletics until this alleged crime was revealed.

According to The Saline Post, where Bates often wrote sports stories, Bates was an assistant coach for the varsity baseball team, varsity girls' basketball team and statistician for the Saline varsity football team.

"Effective immediately, Bates is no longer affiliated with Saline Area Schools," The Saline Post reported Tuesday. read more here

Ex-Veterans Affairs Hospital Union President Accused of Embezzling Over $132,000

Former Birmingham Veterans Affairs hospital union president accused of embezzling more than $132,000 
AL.com
By Jon Reed
March 12, 2015

The former president of the union for federal employees at Birmingham's Veterans Affairs hospital has been indicted on charges that she embezzled more than $132,000 in chapter funds.

Stephanie Hicks, 43, of Birmingham, was indicted on bank fraud, forgery and aggravated identity theft charges, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.

"Union members elect officials to represent them and protect their interests," Vance said in a statement.

"A labor union official who chooses, instead, to live the high life by stealing from local members has committed a crime and should prepare to go to prison."
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