PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a shocking case of corruption, Shawn Edmonds, a 43-year-old resident of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft related to a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $800,000.
Edmonds was an employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia where his duties included the review, approval, and authorization of veteran claims. He accessed the personal identification information of veterans and veteran spouses in order to manipulate pre-existing claims and create fake claims using veteran identities.
Prior to authorizing the fictitious claims, Edmonds changed the direct deposit information for the claims, thereby diverting the stolen funds to the accounts of over 15 co-schemers. He then received a portion of the stolen monies as a kickback. Edmonds manipulated records internally to avoid detection in this scheme, which occurred between July 2011 and April 2013.
“This defendant used his access to sensitive personal information of our nation’s veterans—those who have honorably served our country—to enrich himself,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “This Office will not tolerate government employees using their position to commit fraud against the government, and we will prosecute those who abuse the public’s trust to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Inspector General and Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Freind.
The defendant’s actions have left a trail of devastation in their wake, with over $800,000 stolen from the VA. The exact sentence or outcome for Edmonds is not specified in the source, however, it is clear that he will face severe consequences for his crimes.
Edmonds is set to be sentenced in an unspecified court at an unspecified date. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in government, and the devastating consequences of betraying the public trust.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Shawn Edmonds
Charge: Five counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft
City and State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Crime Date: Between July 2011 and April 2013
Amount Stolen: Over $800,000
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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