Related Federal Cases
Retired Colonel and Former Sergeant Plead Guilty in Recruiting Fraud Scheme
A retired colonel and a former sergeant from the U.S. Army National Guard have admitted to their roles in a recruiting fraud scheme that caused significant financial losses to the U.S. National Guard Bureau.
Isaac Alvarado, 75, and former Sergeant First Class Travis Nau, 41, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen of the District of New Mexico.
The scheme, which took place between February 2008 and February 2012, involved Alvarado and Nau working together to defraud the National Guard Bureau out of approximately $14,000 in recruiting bonuses.
According to the plea agreements, Nau provided Alvarado with the personal identifying information of potential soldiers, including their names and Social Security numbers. Alvarado then used this information to falsely claim that he was responsible for referring the soldiers to join the military, and to fraudulently claim referral bonuses through the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP).
As a result of their scheme, Alvarado received approximately $12,000 in fraudulent recruiting bonuses. The case is being investigated by the Fort Bliss Army Criminal Investigation Command, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Sentencing hearings for both defendants will be scheduled at a later date, and will take place before U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera of the District of New Mexico.
Both Alvarado and Nau face significant penalties for their crimes, including prison time and fines.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
