Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS WOMAN SENTENCED FOR THEFT OF MONEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
October 21, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AVA ROMAIR, 58, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to three (3) years probation as well as a $3,000 fine for theft of government funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. Prior to today’s sentencng, ROMAIR has made full restitution to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the amount of $13,309.
According to court documents, beginning in 1976, AVA ROMAIR’s mother, Alma Ryburn, was receiving VA benefits based on the service-connected death of her husband, a former veteran. In September, 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the New Orleans, Louisiana area, Alma Ryburn died. Despite her mother’s death, ROMAIR did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs and, as a result, the VA continued to directly deposit benefits intended for Ms. Ryburn into a bank account shared by both Ms. Ryburn and ROMAIR. From September 2005 through September 2006, ROMAIR unlawfully received $13,309 in VA funds intended for Ms. Ryburn that she used for her personal expenses.
The case was investigated by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.
