Mandeville Man Sentenced for Theft of Veterans’ Benefits

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Politc announced that RICKY P. TEMPLET, age 54, of Mandeville, was sentenced today for Theft of Government Funds.

According to court records, this investigation was initiated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), Office of Inspector General (“VA-OIG”) after the VA determined TEMPLET was fraudulently obtaining VA benefits. The VA-OIG determined that TEMPLET had become his mother’s VA Fiduciary the day before his mother passed away in 2013.  As a VA Fiduciary, TEMPLET was obligated to notify the VA when his mother passed away. After his mother’s death, TEMPLET received and deposited fifteen U.S. Treasury checks totaling approximately $16,673. TEMPLET was arrested by special agents with the VA-OIG at the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced TEMPLET to nine months incarceration and was ordered to report to Northlake Behavioral Hospital for drug treatment within 24 hours of release from prison.  Additionally, TEMPLET was ordered to pay $16,760 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.  Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba was in charge of the prosecution.