Related Federal Cases
Texas Soldier Pleads Guilty to Army National Guard Bribery Scheme
Specialist Stephanie Heller, 37, of Wharton, Texas, pleaded guilty to a two-count criminal information charging her with one count of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. The charges stem from a bribery and fraud scheme that caused approximately $54,000 in losses to the Army National Guard Bureau.
According to court documents, Heller enlisted in the Army National Guard in approximately July 2008. Between approximately August 2009 and April 2011, she agreed to pay two Army National Guard recruiters for the names and Social Security numbers of at least 28 potential Army National Guard soldiers. Heller used the personal identifying information for these potential soldiers to claim that she was responsible for referring them to join the Army National Guard, when in fact she had not referred them.
As a result of these fraudulent representations, Heller collected at least approximately $44,500 in fraudulent recruiting bonus payments, approximately $21,000 of which she gave to the two Army National Guard recruiters who facilitated the fraudulent scheme.
The charge of bribery carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the monetary gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain or loss.
Heller’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 1, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in San Antonio. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Edward J. Loya Jr., Brian A. Lichter, and Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
The case is being investigated by agents from the San Antonio Fraud Resident Agency of the Major Procurement Fraud Unit, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. To date, the investigation has led to charges against nine individuals, all of whom have pleaded guilty, including Heller.
The Army National Guard Bureau entered into a contract with Document and Packaging Broker Inc., to administer a recruiting program designed to offer monetary incentives to soldiers of the Army National Guard who referred others to join the Army National Guard. Through this program, a participating soldier could receive up to $2,000 in bonus payments for every person whom the participating soldier referred to join the Army National Guard.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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