Sabattus Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing VA Travel Benefits

Contact: James M. Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that James
Hallowell, 36, of Sabattus, Maine, pled guilty today in United States District Court to stealing
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) travel benefits.

According to court records, the defendant claimed travel benefits for more than two
dozen 200 mile trips from Littleton, Maine in Aroostook County to the Togus V.A. Medical
Center for the purpose of receiving medical treatment. In fact, the defendant lived close to the
VA hospital. Investigators learned that there were no residences at the address in Littleton the
defendant provided on his claims.

Hallowell faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after
completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the VA, Office of the Inspector General.