Old Man Swindles Military for $1M+

⏱ 2 min read

Donald Smith, 75, a Pittsburgh contractor, is facing a long stretch after a jury found him guilty of bilking the Defense Logistics Agency out of over a million dollars. From 2019 to 2023, Smith’s company promised the military specific goods, delivered something cheaper, and pocketed the difference. The scheme was simple: overcharge, underdeliver, and don’t report a dime to the IRS.

The five-day trial ended with Smith convicted on 13 counts – eight for wire fraud and five for failing to file corporate tax returns. Prosecutors laid out how Smith raked in the $1 million-plus without ever bothering to pay taxes on the ill-gotten gains. It’s a classic case of greed, targeting funds earmarked for national defense.

Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 or double the stolen amount, whichever is greater. The tax evasion charges add another year and another $100,000 in potential fines. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled, but at 75, Smith’s likely looking at spending his remaining years behind bars.

The investigation was a coordinated effort by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Guappone and Barbara K. Doolittle led the prosecution, successfully connecting the dots on Smith’s years-long scam.