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Aaron Matthew Pierce, Wire Fraud, Texas 2016
A former Goodwill employee and his accomplice have been ordered to federal prison for their roles in a scheme to steal grant money intended for homeless veterans.
Aaron Matthew Pierce, 37, of Houston, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. His accomplice, Darrell Demond Arline, 37, of Pearland, received a 48-month sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Arline, who was the program manager for Goodwill’s U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grants, recruited Pierce to cash fraudulently issued SSVF grant checks. The grants were worth millions of dollars and were intended to aid veterans and their families with housing.
Between January 2013 and August 2014, Pierce and Arline entered into a conspiracy to steal money from the grant by submitting fraudulent purchase orders. The scheme resulted in the theft of $316,512.13 in grant monies, which Arline was ordered to pay in restitution. Pierce was ordered to pay $18,016 in restitution.
The victims of this crime were the military veterans of this country, said U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett, who presided over the trial. Arline and Pierce’s actions were a betrayal of the trust placed in them to help those in need.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Rodriguez and Adam L. Goldman prosecuted the case. The VA – Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation.
Arline was taken into custody following the sentencing and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Pierce was permitted to remain on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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