Tamara Jones Indicted in VA Fiduciary Theft Scam

St. Louis woman Tamara Jones has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly looting $38,000 from the back pay of a disabled veteran she was entrusted to protect. Appointed by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a fiduciary, Jones instead exploited her position, draining nearly the entire sum awarded to a vulnerable veteran known only as A.W.

According to the indictment unsealed Wednesday, October 26, Jones was formally enrolled through the VA to manage the financial affairs of disabled veterans. In September 2014, she was assigned to oversee the funds of A.W., a disabled vet living in St. Louis County. Within months, she transferred most of a $38,000 government back pay award out of the veteran’s account — money meant to support medical care and daily living.

Jones didn’t just steal the funds — she vanished them without a trace. Investigators say she failed to keep any required records, skipped mandatory reporting to the VA, and repeatedly ignored requests from auditors. When confronted, Jones offered no documentation, no receipts, and no explanation. She made promises to produce records and return funds, but never followed through.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of the Inspector General led the investigation into Jones’ actions, uncovering a pattern of deception and financial neglect. As a court-approved fiduciary, her role was to safeguard A.W.’s finances, not plunder them. Instead, prosecutors say she treated the account like personal cash.

Now, Jones faces two serious federal counts: theft of government funds and misappropriation by a fiduciary. Conviction on the first charge carries up to 10 years in prison; the second, up to 5 years. Both expose her to fines of up to $250,000 and require full restitution to the victim. A federal judge will weigh the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines when determining the final penalty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus. Jones is expected to appear in federal court later this week. As with all federal indictments, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.