William D. Montague, 36 Counts of Conspiracy, Fraud, Money Launderi…

GRIM NEWS: William D. Montague, former director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center, has been indicted on 36 counts of conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and other charges.

The charges stem from allegations that Montague accepted bribes in exchange for influencing development projects and decisions related to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Montague, 61, from Brecksville, Ohio, faces accusations of honest services mail fraud, bribery, money laundering, multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, disclosing public contract information, and more.

This case is part of the broader Cuyahoga County corruption investigation. FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony stated, ‘Montague misled staff and misused his position to enrich himself.’ The VA Office of Inspector General’s Gavin McClaren echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that violating public trust for personal gain is intolerable, especially when veterans are affected.

The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center was a major facility in the country, serving over 95,000 veterans. Montague worked for the VA since 1975 and served as director from 1995 until his retirement in 2010. The indictment details how he allegedly influenced the VA Development Project, which aimed to consolidate medical facilities into one location.

Michael Forlani, a key figure in this scheme, was already serving eight years in prison for racketeering and bribery. Montague is accused of soliciting and accepting gifts and payments from Forlani’s businesses, including a consulting contract with his own company, House of Montague.

Montague’s retirement coincided with the beginning of Business 66 operations, which he later joined as a board advisor. The indictment indicates that Business 66 paid House of Montague $156,750 from February 2010 to May 2012. The case is a stark reminder of corruption at the highest levels and the need for accountability.