United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

STRATFORD WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MISAPPROPRIATING VETERANS BENEFITS

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ELLEN PACK, 64, of Broadbridge Road, Stratford, waived indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday, July 27, before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of misappropriating U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits while acting as a fiduciary  for an incompetent military veteran.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2006 and 2007, PACK served as a fiduciary for a military veteran who was a patient at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in West Haven.  In accordance with her fiduciary duties, PACK received funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that were to be used solely for the veteran’s care and benefit.  Instead, PACK used significant portions of the monthly benefit payments, in an amount totaling more than $30,000, to pay for various items and expenses for her own use and benefit.

PACK is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on October 15, 2010, at which time PACK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter was investigated by Special Agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William M. Brown, Jr.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov