Providence VA Service Representative Indicted on Federal Extortion, Bribery, Witness Tampering Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI – An indictment unsealed in federal court in Providence today charges Michael Darrah, a benefits service representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Providence, with three counts of bribery and one count each of extortion, gratuity received by a public official, and witness tampering, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

It is alleged in the indictment that Darrah, 45, of Taunton, MA., solicited and accepted bribes from veterans and the family member of a veteran to approve requested dependent care benefits and/or disability benefits. It is further alleged that Darrah claimed that some of the money he sought from his victims would be used to purchase gift cards for other purported VA employees who Darrah claimed either could or did assist him in expediting and approving benefits claims.

The indictment alleges that Darrah requested payments and accepted approximately $3,385 from a veteran, supposedly to “grease the wheels” to push paperwork through and expedite a claim for disability benefits; that he corruptly sought and accepted $16,566 from a second veteran to expedite and approve a claim for  disability benefits; and that he sought and accepted $2,700 from a relative of a third veteran to expedite and approve the veteran’s benefits claim. Additionally, it is alleged that Darrah sought and accepted a “gratuity” of approximately $5,000 from the third veteran for having successfully used his position at the VA to get other VA employees to expedite and approve the claims. The indictment alleges that Darrah requested this “gratuity” despite being advised that the veteran was facing homelessness as his house was being foreclosed.  Finally, it is alleged that Darrah, after becoming aware of the government’s investigation into his conduct, attempted to corruptly persuade a witness not to cooperate with the investigation and to lie about the nature of payments made to Darrah.

A charge of bribery carries a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison; extortion is punishable by a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment; witness tampering is punishable by a sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment; and the charge of receipt of a gratuity by a public official carries a sentence of up to 2 years in prison. If convicted, the defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Peter I. Roklan.

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Veterans Administration Police.

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