Josephine Casandra Perez-Gorda, 39, of Dripping Springs, Texas, has been found guilty of defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) of over $300,000. The crime, which spanned from October 2011 through August 2017, involved overstating the severity and extent of her spouse’s disability.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Perez-Gorda, along with her deceased spouse, defrauded the VA and SSA by claiming he was paralyzed from the waist down due to an injury he suffered while on active duty. The couple claimed their home was specially adapted for his disability and applied for and received additional compensation based on his disability rating.
The investigation began after a news story aired on KENS5, which raised questions about the couple’s claims. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) agents videotaped Mr. Perez walking around without assistance, contradicting his claim of being paralyzed.
Perez-Gorda was found guilty of 11 counts of wire fraud; one count of mail fraud; one count of health care fraud; three counts of false statements related to a healthcare matter; one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud; and one count of theft of government funds. She faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and mail fraud charges; up to 10 years in prison on each of the healthcare fraud charges and the theft of government funds charge; and up to five years in prison on each of the false statements related to a healthcare matter.
Josephine Casandra Perez-Gorda’s sentencing is set for December 20, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff, VA-OIG SAC Jeffrey Breen, and SSA-OIG SAC Jason Albers made the announcement. The VA-OIG and SSA-OIG are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Surovic and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Miller prosecuting the case.
The case against Josephine Casandra Perez-Gorda is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in our system. We will continue to work tirelessly to root out fraud and bring those responsible to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Jason Jarin, Medicaid Fraud and Illicit Transition Procedures, Texas 2023 · Oklahoma
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Oklahoma
- Christopher Ferguson, Securities Fraud, New York 2020 · Texas
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasion, California 2023 · Texas
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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