⏱ 2 min read
Schleider Aristhyl, a 30-year-old Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee and military veteran from Warwick, R.I., has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly obtaining a $478,000 VA-backed mortgage in Massachusetts with false documents. The incident occurred in October 2024, when Aristhyl submitted two falsified documents to a private lender. The documents purported to be from the VA, stating that Aristhyl had a 100% disability rating and was receiving over $3,000 in monthly benefits, as well as a certificate exempting him from paying a funding fee.
The lender relied on these false documents to issue the mortgage loan on October 25, 2024, and the VA issued a loan guarantee on January 21, 2025. However, it was later discovered that Aristhyl had no VA disability rating and was not receiving any monthly benefits at the time of his application. Additionally, he was not exempt from paying the funding fee, which was over $10,000.
Aristhyl was arrested and charged with wire fraud and submitting false statements in a mortgage application. He was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. If convicted, Aristhyl faces up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the wire fraud charge.
The case highlights the importance of verifying documents and information in mortgage applications to prevent fraud. The VA-backed mortgage program is designed to help veterans purchase homes, but it can be vulnerable to abuse if false documents are submitted.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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