Ward Faked Deployment, Stole $14K From VA

PITTSBURGH – Richard A. Ward, 42, of Washington County, Pennsylvania, is three years into a probationary sentence after admitting he conned the Department of Veterans Affairs out of $14,164.91. The scheme? A fabricated deployment order. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced the sentencing this week, detailing a calculated attempt to exploit a system designed to support those who serve.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti handed down the sentence, ordering Ward to serve three years of probation and fully reimburse the stolen $14,164.91. Court documents reveal Ward, employed at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, submitted a forged “Special Order” purporting to be from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing. The document falsely claimed he’d been activated for active duty.

The ruse worked. The VA, believing Ward was legitimately deployed, placed him on a special pay status reserved for employees called to military service. This triggered payments and benefits he hadn’t earned, effectively turning a bureaucratic process into a personal slush fund. Ward, who *is* a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, abused his position and the trust placed in him.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton led the prosecution, successfully demonstrating the deliberate nature of Ward’s deception. While the court acknowledged Ward’s lack of prior criminal history and his acceptance of responsibility, the severity of the offense warranted a significant penalty. The judge clearly signaled that exploiting veteran’s benefits will not be tolerated.

The investigation, a joint effort between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the VA Police, uncovered the fraudulent order and traced the illicit payments. The agencies worked diligently to hold Ward accountable for his actions, sending a message that attempts to defraud the VA will be vigorously pursued.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within government systems and the lengths to which individuals will go to profit from them. While Ward avoided prison time, the stain of this conviction – and the financial restitution – will follow him for years. The Grimy Times will continue to track federal fraud cases and expose those who prey on public resources.