Oneida County Woman Indicted for Theft of Deceased Mother’s VA Benefits

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michelle Gulla, 53, of Marcy, New York, appeared in court today in Syracuse, New York, on an indictment alleging she stole approximately $17,863 of Veterans Administration compensation benefits paid to her deceased mother, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian.

Gulla appeared pursuant to a summons and was ordered released pending a trial scheduled for July 18, 2016.

The charge filed against Gulla, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, Theft of Public Money, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl G. Eurenius.