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Veteran’s Fiduciary Pleads Guilty in California Embezzlement Case
Oakland, CA – In a shocking turn of events, Raj Kumar Ditta, a former U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs fiduciary, pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from disabled veterans in a federal court in Oakland. Ditta, 51, of San Ramon, admitted to misappropriating and embezzling no less than $39,500 from the veterans and beneficiaries he was entrusted to care for.
According to court documents, Ditta entered into fiduciary agreements with the VA in 2010 and 2011, agreeing to act as a fiduciary for eight different veterans or beneficiaries. As a fiduciary, Ditta was required to establish bank accounts to receive each beneficiary’s VA income and to ensure the beneficiary’s debts were paid. However, Ditta began syphoning funds from the beneficiary’s account shortly after setting them up, moving thousands of dollars to his own personal account and using those funds for his own benefit.
The VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, led the investigation into Ditta’s activities, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Apolinar Olivera. Ditta was charged by Information on May 24, 2019, with one count of misappropriation of funds held by a fiduciary, in violation of 38 U.S.C. § 6101(a), and 15 counts of theft of government money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641.
Under the plea agreement, Ditta pleaded guilty to the misappropriation of funds count, and the remaining counts will be dismissed at sentencing. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers scheduled Ditta’s sentencing hearing for November 14, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Ditta faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for the 38 U.S.C. § 6101(a) violation. In addition, as part of sentencing, the court may order an additional period of supervised release and restitution, if appropriate.
The case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, such as disabled veterans, from exploitation and embezzlement. The VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those entrusted with caring for our nation’s heroes are held accountable for their actions.
Ditta’s guilty plea serves as a reminder that embezzlement and fiduciary abuse will not be tolerated in our community. We commend the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Apolinar Olivera for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to justice.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division. Ditta’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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