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Veteran Benefits Thief Pleads Guilty
Bangor, Maine – Neil Pelkey, a 67-year-old man from South China, Maine, has pleaded guilty to stealing over $53,000 worth of death and indemnity compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to court records, Pelkey stole the benefits intended for his mother for almost 4 years following her death.
The scheme came to light when VA investigators learned of his mother’s death from the Nationwide Death Match Project, a computerized comparison of VA and Social Security Administration records. Pelkey collected monthly benefits ranging from $1,154 to $1,215 from January 1, 2010 to September 1, 2013 and used them to pay living expenses.
Pelkey faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the United States Probation Office. The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the VA.
Assistant United States Attorney James M. Moore is available to comment on this case and can be reached at (207) 945-0373. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of the VA’s efforts to prevent and detect fraud.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II said, ‘The integrity of the VA’s benefits system is crucial to the well-being of our nation’s veterans. The Office of Inspector General of the VA has done an outstanding job in uncovering this case and holding the perpetrator accountable.’
Pelkey’s guilty plea brings an end to a lengthy investigation that shed light on the importance of the VA’s efforts to prevent and detect fraud. The case serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain.
As the nation continues to grapple with the complexities of the VA’s benefits system, cases like Pelkey’s serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability.
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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