Elizabeth Honig, Theft of Government Funds, New Jersey 2017

TRENTON, N.J. – Elizabeth Honig, 52, of Morganville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to stealing $2.8 million from a program designed to help veterans find employment.

Honig, the owner of Computer Insight Learning Center (CILC), a computer training school based in Eatontown, New Jersey, admitted to helping 182 veterans enroll in the program, but the vast majority of them were either not eligible or not actually attending the training.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Honig's program was approved by the VA to provide education and training to military veterans, including veterans who received tuition assistance under the Veteran's Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

Honig admitted to logging on to the applications system more than 100 times and certifying that she was the actual veteran who was applying for benefits. She supplied false information about employment status to qualify to attend her school and receive funding from the VA.

As a result of Honig's actions, the VA continued to pay veterans who were not entitled to the funds. Honig's monthly fee of approximately $750 also resulted in overpayments by veterans far in excess of the VA-approved $4,000 course tuition.

The count to which Honig pleaded guilty carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a fine of either $250,000, twice the gross amount of her gain from the crime, or twice the loss suffered by any victims, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 25, 2017.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/owner-computer-school-admits-28-million-veterans-retraining-assistance-program-education