A 41-year-old woman, Aesha Rivers, has been arrested and charged with 75 counts of wire fraud, theft of government money, and making a false statement to the government in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The indictment alleges that between June 1, 2011, and June 20, 2015, Rivers, a member of the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING), submitted fraudulent applications for federal funds, including her Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
According to the indictment, Rivers knowingly devised a scheme to unlawfully use her OHA to obtain government money, by means of wire, that she was not entitled to receive.
Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced the indictment and the arrest of Rivers, who made her initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon.
Rivers was released on an unsecured bond.
If convicted, Rivers faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the wire fraud counts; 10 years in prison for theft of government money; and five years in prison for making a false statement.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Army CID–Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna A. Vlasova.
Acting United States Attorney Hewlett reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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