Bryan Paul Winquist, Theft of Government Property, North Carolina 2023

Raleigh, NC
- In a shocking case of deceit, Bryan Paul Winquist, 39, of Cordova, Tennessee, was sentenced to 1 month of intermittent confinement and 9 months of house arrest as terms of a 3-year period of probation on a charge of Theft of Government Property. Winquist was also ordered to pay a $3,100.00 fine and $11,669.06 in restitution to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

According to the United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., Winquist's actions were a blatant disregard for the integrity of the VA system. 'To commit a fraud upon the VA is to steal from those who have risked their lives to protect this nation,' Higdon stated. 'The limited funds available to the VA are critical to meeting the needs of those who have faithfully served our country, and this office will continue to hold accountable all who obtain veterans benefits through fraud and deception.'

Winquist's scheme began when he submitted a claim to the VA on March 22, 2014, alleging that he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) arising from a service-connected incident. However, the claim was riddled with falsehoods, including a fabricated account of being hit with shrapnel from an improvised explosive device (IED) and being shot in the left shoulder during a small-arms firefight in Balad, Iraq.

Despite the VA's efforts to verify the claim, Winquist continued to receive benefits under the auspices that he suffered from PTSD. He withdrew the funds from his bank account in various locations, including the Eastern District of North Carolina, without acknowledging the falsehoods in his claim or seeking to return the funds.

On December 13, 2017, Winquist admitted during an interview that he fabricated the incident. He stated, 'I was hurting and I made a mistake.'

Winquist's actions have left a trail of deceit and financial burden on the VA. His sentence serves as a reminder that those who commit fraud against the VA will be held accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/air-force-veteran-sentenced-charges-arising-false-claims-department-veterans-affairs