What are your thoughts on this woman that pleaded guilty to stealing VA benefits?

2015-09-10T09:38:59-04:00

A Ferriday woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 of her deceased aunt's Veterans Affairs benefits.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Tuesday that 45-year-old Linda Sue Bourgeois pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property or funds.

Court documents show that even though Bourgeois' aunt died in July 2007, Bourgeois did not inform Veterans Affairs and took the benefits from a shared bank account until March when the payments terminated. Bourgeois stole $107,452.

Bourgeois faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.

A sentencing date of Dec. 17 was set.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2015/09/09/woman-pleads-guilty-stealing-va-benefits/71924784/

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 10 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-09-10T09:42:18-04:00

What are your thoughts SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.? Would be great to read what you think of the information you are sharing here as well.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 10 at 2015 9:44 AM

2015-09-10T09:44:05-04:00

She was wrong for that. I think she should serve her time and more. It's a good thing I don't work for the government because she wouldn't be able to get her Social Security when it was time for her to receive it. It's not just her fault. It the Va's fault also for not keeping better records of there veterans.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 10 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-09-10T10:05:06-04:00

I'd make a deal with her. In order to avoid prison time, if she could survive one month in Helmand Province or RC east with no weapons and just her wits (I'd give her a set of Multi Cams, boots and a PT belt. Don't want her out of uniform), I'd wipe this clean. Hell one month as the MWR for the ANA and I'd wipe this clean. I offer all this because I KNOW she wouldn't. Both would take her to new levels of hell on earth that would be fitting for screwing one of ours for as long as she did.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 10 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-09-10T10:06:01-04:00

She's greedy - that's not a good character quality to have.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 10 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-09-10T10:07:23-04:00

Criminal. Happens all the time unfortunately, with Social Security as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-09-10T10:14:41-04:00

Very disrespectful! Put this idiot in jail and let her stay a few years. It'll give her some time to ponder!

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Sep 10 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-09-10T10:53:48-04:00

She stole from the VA. I deal with Vets on a daily basis who could have used the money the VA was sending to a deceased person. So in essence she stole from our Vets. To me this is the lowest type of scum there is in our country. She should face the full penalty for her actions.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 10 at 2015 10:55 AM

2015-09-10T10:55:47-04:00

Prison seems to be a proper place for her to be. I wish agencies did a better job tracking, so folks can't steal this amount of money before a red flag goes up.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 10 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-09-10T11:04:29-04:00

Insufficient information. Yes, if found guilty, punish her to the limit. I would like to know more about the lady receiving the VA checks.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Sep 10 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-09-10T15:33:33-04:00

Happens and at least she said guilty

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Sep 10 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-09-10T15:35:46-04:00

Let the law toast her

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Sep 10 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-09-10T16:33:23-04:00

Read the VA OIG reports and you will see many of these types of fraud cases.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 11 at 2015 2:24 AM

2015-09-11T02:24:14-04:00

String her up by the balls (figuratively). Theft is theft.