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Tampa Man Sentenced for Stealing Government Funds
A local man has been sentenced for stealing government money in a case that has left authorities stunned. Thomas Crouch, 66, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to one year, one month in federal prison for theft of government funds.
Crouch pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment on August 28, 2013. According to court documents, Crouch’s Aunt, Naomi Page, had been a recipient of U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, which she received based upon her husband’s military service, up until her death on January 25, 2010.
The VA periodically sought to verify Page’s continued right to receive benefit payments and, in the process of doing so, sent marital status questionnaires to Page to determine her continued eligibility. The VA did not receive a response from Page, which prompted a suspension of her benefits. After finally receiving a response from Page, shortly before her death, the VA subsequently reinstated Page’s benefits.
On January 26, 2010, when reinstating Page’s benefits, the VA mistakenly sent Page a check in the amount of $122,636.00. Upon discovering the error, the VA promptly sent out a letter on February 12, 2010, asking for the check to be returned or that a personal check be sent back to the VA. The VA investigated the matter and determined that the VA check had already been negotiated, purportedly with Page’s signature on the back of the check.
A VA investigation revealed that Crouch, Page’s Power of Attorney, had forged Page’s signature after her death and negotiated the $124,944.00 check, to which neither he nor Page was entitled. When questioned by law enforcement, Crouch initially denied that Page had ever received paper checks from the VA, but later admitted that he had forged Page’s signature on the checks and spent the money on a boat, a van, a motorcycle and a truck, and had given family members some money.
The court also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $124,944.00, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda C. Kaiser.
Crouch’s crime was a severe breach of trust, and his sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions. The VA’s efforts to provide benefits to deserving veterans were undermined by Crouch’s greed and dishonesty.
Defendant: Thomas Crouch
Criminal Charges: Theft of Government Funds
City and State: Tampa, Florida
Date: August 28, 2013
Sentence: One year, one month in federal prison
Amount of Money Involved: $124,944.00
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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