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Snoqualmie Man Sentenced to 3 Years for $646K Fraud Scheme
A former National Guard captain from Snoqualmie has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding government programs of more than $646,000, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
Darryl Lee Wright, 48, who served as Chairman of the City of Snoqualmie Planning Commission, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in February 2016. Wright admitted to defrauding the Veterans Administration, Social Security Disability, Washington State Employment Security, and other government programs with his claims of being injured while serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard.
Wright lied about being injured in a rocket attack and submitted fake pictures of destruction that had no connection to his service in Iraq. The scheme, which began as early as 2006, cost government programs an estimated $737,539.
Wright defrauded various agencies, including the Veterans Benefit Administration, the Veteran’s Caregiver program, Social Security Disability, the Office of Personnel Management, Washington State Employment Security, and the Department of Education.
He claimed he was disabled by a rocket attack that did not occur, and then defrauded a Veteran’s Caregiver program of $83,967 claiming he needed a full-time caregiver. Wright also defrauded Social Security Disability of $181,438 claiming he was too injured to work, despite being employed full-time by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Army has stripped Wright of his Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge. U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said Wright dragged “many people into a web of deceit” and that his scheme was a “complex and nefarious scam implemented over a long period of time.”
“This defendant brazenly lied about his combat history to get more than $600,000 in benefits he did not deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “His willingness to steal from a system meant to take care of those who have bravely served our country, or are otherwise in need, is an outrage.”
Wright must also pay $646,300 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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