U.S. Army Financial Counselor Admits Defrauding Gold Star Families
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, financial counselor with the United States Army and major in the U.S. Army Reserves today admitted defrauding Gold Star families and related crimes, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Caz Craffy, aka “Carz Craffey,” 41, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to the indictment filed against him, which charged six counts of wire fraud and one count each of securities fraud, making false statements in a loan application, committing acts affecting a personal financial interest, and making false statements to a federal agency.
“Those who target and steal from the families of fallen American servicemembers will be held accountable for their crimes,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “Nothing can undo the enormous loss that Gold Star families have suffered, but the Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to protect them from further harm.”
“Caz Craffy admitted today that he brazenly took advantage of his role as an Army financial counselor to prey upon families of our fallen service members, at their most vulnerable moment, using lies and deception. These Gold Star families have laid the dearest sacrifice on the altar of freedom. And they deserve our utmost respect and compassion, as well as some small measure of financial security from a grateful nation. We will use every means at our disposal to ensure that those who defraud our military families are held accountable. Caz Craffy now faces the prospect of years in prison for ripping off these families to line his own pocket.”
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
“Those who prey on the family members of fallen soldiers, will be sought out and held accountable,” Special Agent in Charge Joel Kirch, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast Field Office, said. “The hard work, long hours, and dedication of our partners within the Task Force, from the United States Attorney’s Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and our own investigative analyst, resulted in this investigation’s swift resolution.”
“The families of service members who lost their lives while serving their country deserve to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect by individuals entrusted to assist them in obtaining survivor benefits,” said James R. Ives, Principal Deputy Director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General. “Today’s announcement reflects DCIS and our law enforcement partners’ steadfast commitment to holding accountable those who use their official positions to take advantage of grieving military families.”
“Gold Star families are given a title no one would choose because it means they’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “The soldier, sailor, marine or airman they loved died during a time of conflict – defending this nation. They are given money and assistance to help ease the burden that comes with losing their loved one, but no amount of money can replace what they’ve lost. Craffey took advantage of his position and defrauded families already going through a tremendous amount of suffering. He is being held accountable, and his victims are seeing justice prevail.”
“Craffy disgraced his entrusted position to care for our nation’s military families when he allegedly took advantage of them during a vulnerable time of grief,” Homeland Security Investigations Newark acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said. “No family, especially our Gold Star families, should have to face further heartache after a loved one’s death by having their financial security ripped out from under them by fraudsters.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
When a member of the Armed Services dies, their family is often eligible for survivor benefits. However, these benefits can be delayed or denied if the family member attempts to collect benefits on behalf of the deceased service member.
Craffy allegedly used his position as an Army financial counselor to take advantage of these families, often by lying about the status of their claims or telling them that they were not eligible for benefits. He would then use the money he had obtained through these schemes to line his own pockets.
Craffy could face up to 20 years in prison for his crimes, although his exact sentence will be determined by the court at a later date.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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