Former Case Manager for Nebraska Aids Project Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg today announced that Chief United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp, sentenced Jason Armstrong, age 35 of Omaha, Nebraska, following his conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud.  Armstrong was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $141,091.18.  Following his release from prison Armstrong will be required to serve a 3 year term of supervised release.

Armstrong worked as a case manager for the Nebraska Aids Project where he was tasked with addressing the needs of Nebraska clients living with HIV/AIDS.  Armstrong linked clients to appropriate resources, including housing assistance.   Armstrong, working in concert with another individual, submitted fraudulent applications for housing benefits that were paid out with funds provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The applications were fraudulent, in some instances, because they had been submitted in the names of people who were not clients of the Nebraska Aids Project.  In other instances, the applications were submitted in the names of actual clients but the submissions were made without the clients’ knowledge or consent.  Checks would be issued in response to the fraudulent applications and the proceeds would be split between Armstrong and the person with whom he conspired.  During the course of the scheme approximately $141,091.18 in fraudulent benefits were paid out.  Tamika Payne has also been charged in connection with the same scheme.  She is currently awaiting trial. 

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.