Rochester Duo Bilks VA Out of $606k in Disability Scam

A former Rochester couple, Michael Joyce, 52, and his wife Sarah Shultis, 32, both formerly of Rochester, NY, now living in New Jersey, have been arrested and charged with defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability payments.

According to the complaint, Joyce submitted claims for disability compensation to the Department of Veterans Affairs for a string of alleged medical issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), asthma, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, sleep apnea, GER, hypertension, tinnitus, gout, an unidentified left knee issue, an unidentified left ankle issue, an unidentified right ankle issue, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and unidentified cardiac issues.

Following multiple consultations and examinations for various issues, Joyce was awarded a 100% disability rating for reported PTSD in December 2016. In February 2018, Joyce applied for a status of permanent and total disability (PTD), which removes an individual’s obligation to continue getting re-evaluated for various disabilities, and makes them eligible for other veteran benefits.

However, an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector, uncovered multiple inconsistencies in Joyce’s claims. Unit members described Joyce as competent, intelligent, and physically fit, someone who remodeled multiple bathrooms and repaired a roof, and was never deployed to a combat zone.

The investigation also found that Joyce was able to walk with no apparent difficulty, drive a motor vehicle, and perform household maintenance tasks, including climbing a ladder and snow shoveling. As a result, Joyce and his wife, Sarah Shultis, were charged with theft of government funds, making false statements, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani stated that the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

As of March 2024, Joyce has received over $393,158.14 in payments from VA, while Shultis has received over $213,000 for her alleged role as Joyce’s caregiver. The total amount of money the couple is accused of defrauding the VA of is over $606,000.