Jonathan Walker, Wire Fraud, Wisconsin 2023

A defense contractor from Tomah, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in a wire fraud scheme.

Jonathan Walker, 46, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson on January 3, 2024, to 15 months in federal prison for wire fraud. The prison term will be followed by one year of supervised release. Judge Peterson also ordered Walker to pay restitution in the amount of $72,000 and to pay a fine of $10,000.

Walker was convicted of devising and participating in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by falsely claiming that his company, Walker Investment Properties (WIP), was a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB). WIP obtained two SDVOSB contracts worth a total of $1,927,536 from the DoD. Walker received a total of $482,577 from these two contracts.

As part of the government contracting system, contractors are required to sign a Federal Acquisition Regulation report under penalty of perjury certifying that they are providing true and correct information to the General Services Administration and will abide by all of the federal regulations pertaining to DoD contracting. Walker did this eight times from 2015 to 2019, falsely certifying he was a SDVOSB when he was not.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to honoring and protecting those who served in America’s armed forces,” stated United States Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea. “In part, we demonstrate that commitment by working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who fraudulently pose as veterans for financial advantage.”

The charges against Walker were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber handled the prosecution.

Walker is scheduled to report to prison on January 4, 2024.

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