Wendy Ann Payne, Theft of Government Money, Idaho 2017

Emmett Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Money

BOISE - In a shocking turn of events, Wendy Ann Payne, a 51-year-old resident of Emmett, Idaho, has pleaded guilty to theft of government money, a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement, Payne's grandmother was the spouse of a deceased veteran and received monthly benefits from the Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program. However, when Payne's grandmother passed away in 2009, Payne intentionally failed to inform the Department of Veterans Affairs of her death. Instead, she appropriated the benefits intended for her deceased grandmother, knowing that she was not entitled to them.

Payne's scheme involved submitting a change of address form that caused her deceased grandmother's benefits to be mailed to her residence. She also placed a telephone call to the Department of Veterans Affairs and pretended to be her deceased grandmother. The result was the embezzlement and theft of $91,373.12 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As part of her plea, Payne agreed to forfeit at least $91,373.12 and all interest and proceeds consisting of or traceable to the proceeds of the charged offense. The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

Wendy Ann Payne, a resident of Emmett, Idaho, has pleaded guilty to theft of government money, embezzling $91,373.12 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Payne's sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. The maximum sentence she faces includes up to ten years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Defendant: Wendy Ann Payne

Criminal Charge: Theft of government money

City and State: Emmett, Idaho

Exact Date: May 23, 2017

Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty, sentencing scheduled for August 10, 2017

Dollar Amount: $91,373.12

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/emmett-woman-pleads-guilty-theft-government-money