Posted on Sep 10, 2015
What are your thoughts on this woman that pleaded guilty to stealing VA benefits?
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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/
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/
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Crime
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Crime
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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Criminal. Happens all the time unfortunately, with Social Security as well.
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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.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Not a bad idea, but don't forget she has to complete basic training first. Then send her over.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSgt (Join to see) - Ohh hells naw. She completed that $107,452 ago. I want my ROI. Try stealing your (not you, her) way with them. Guarantee she'd be begging for a supermax anywhere in America.
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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.
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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.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
SGT Ben Keen I think you will find that I don't hesitate to comment on any other post by my own to which I can contribute something of value. For the same reason I don't give Tumbs-Up or Down on my "Questions" that are not of a humorous nature. To do that would tacitly give approval / disapproval of comments which are the purview of the other commenters.
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SGT Ben Keen
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. - I fully understand and I've seen some of your great insights in other posts. I just think that it would be helpful to the community that those that choose to share things to not just copy and paste the article but to also form a thought and share it along with a link to the article. This helps start the discussion.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
SGT Ben Keen But it also biases the discussion. The 1st comment always sets the tone The purpose of the copy and paste is to make the RP community aware of current news topics to which they may not be aware.
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SGT Ben Keen
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. - I would agree that sometimes the first comment can cause a biases towards the conversation by setting the tone but it can also kick start the discussion. I often enjoy seeing what someone thinks about the article they are sharing and then read the article. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't. Either way, its a good starting point in my view.
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Read the VA OIG reports and you will see many of these types of fraud cases.
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Insufficient information. Yes, if found guilty, punish her to the limit. I would like to know more about the lady receiving the VA checks.
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SCPO Penny Douphinett
Master Chief, I'm curious about your comment. Which lady are you referring to - the vet who died or the women who stole the benefits? The info on the thief seems pretty clear - the vet died and someone else cashed her VA checks. My thoughts are she needs to be punished to the full extent of the law, she needs to repay the VBA the full amount she stole and then she needs to repay the justice department the full cost of her incarceration and all associated costs. There can't be any mitigating circumstances for this crime. Even if the aunt left behind dependent children, the VA provides way to care for them (insurance, other benefit programs, etc.).
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MCPO Roger Collins
SCPO Penny Douphinett - I believe we are in agreement on the basics. My interest was piqued because there was little on the former recipient of the checks.
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