Scandia Man Indicted For Stealing Survivor Benefits From The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 49-year-old Scandia man was indicted for stealing more than $92,000 in survivor benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Dean Boraas was specifically charged with one count of theft of government funds.

The indictment alleges that from September 1, 2005, to May 30, 2010, Boraas stole and converted for his personal use $92,152 in survivor benefits to which he knew he was not entitled. The benefits were assigned to his mother, who passed away. However, the VA was not made known of that fact. As a result, the funds continued to be paid into a joint bank account held in the names of Boraas and his mother.

If convicted, Boraas faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. Any sentence would be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the VA-Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.