Milwaukee, Wisconsin Man Sentenced for VA Fraud

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 28, 2017, Dean D. Young (age: 60) formerly of Green Bay, Wisconsin and currently living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced in Federal Court in Green Bay to 21 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $201,521.41 after his guilty plea to wire fraud contrary to Title 18 United States Code Section 1343.

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, beginning in approximately November 2002, and continuing thereafter until at least September 2015, in the State and Eastern District of Wisconsin, Dean Young devised and carried out a scheme to defraud the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of pension and compensation benefits by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses.

Young’s scheme was essentially to defraud the VA of compensation and pension benefits by providing materially false information to the VA, at its Regional Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and elsewhere, concerning his physical and mental condition. In particular, Young provided materially false information to the VA, upon which the VA relied in awarding pension and compensation benefits that he was not entitled which totaled $201,521.41. One such claim stemmed from an August 30, 2013, VA doctor appointment during which Young claimed he required use of a wheelchair and that he could only walk a few steps due to extreme back pain. Following the appointment, the VA doctor observed Young walk across the VA parking lot without use of the wheelchair and with a normal gait. Young then folded up his wheelchair and placed it in his car. Further, law enforcement obtained video of Young that same day walking down the hallway of his apartment complex and standing in the elevator while carrying a box, all without the aid of a wheelchair or cane. 

While handing down the sentence, Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach described the offense as a “massive and blatant fraud” that went on for many years. He also noted that it involved public funds intended for truly deserving veteran. Judge Griesbach added that the sentence imposed was also intended to serve as a deterrent for others thinking of committing VA fraud.   

This case was investigated by the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.  

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For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig 414-297-1700