Brooklyn Man Sentenced for Stealing from a Disabled Army Veteran and the VA

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kevin Green, age 57, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 3 years of probation for his theft of disability compensation benefits from a disabled and elderly Army veteran and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”).

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Sean Smith of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. 

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered Green to pay $39,500 in restitution and a $6,000 fine.

A federal jury convicted Green following a 5-day trial in April 2018.  The evidence established that Green received approximately $71,000 in disability compensation benefits from the VA as fiduciary for a disabled 73-year-old Army veteran between March 2011 and May 2013, and was required to spend the money solely for the benefit of the veteran.  The veteran initially lived in a cottage on Green’s property in Kerhonkson, New York, but moved into a Vermont veterans’ home in April 2012.  All of the veteran’s expenses at the veterans’ home were paid by the VA, but Green continued to collect the veteran’s disability compensation benefits.  When asked for an accounting, Green misrepresented how he had spent the VA benefits, and the evidence demonstrated that he had spent tens of thousands of dollars on himself. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.