Former VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Fake Invoice Scheme

HOUSTON – A 75-year-old resident of Houston has been convicted of conspiring to commit fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick and Special Agent in Charge James Ross of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG).

Eduora McDaniel admitted she generated purchase orders for fictitious goods and services.

“Today’s guilty plea and associated charges underscore VA-OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the funds intended for veterans,” said Ross.

As a prosthetics representative for the VA, McDaniel had the authority to obtain prosthetic goods and services if a VA physician found it medically necessary. McDaniel was authorized to pay for the goods using a government-issued VISA credit card.

As part of the scheme, she created bogus purchase orders for her co-conspirator’s company and paid them using her government credit card. McDaniel and co-conspirator Angela Hunter, 54, also of Houston, then split the payments. 

Hunter previously pleaded guilty as well. McDaniel and Hunter are set for sentencing April 30 and 24, respectively.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a possible sentence of five years as well as a $250,000 maximum possible fine.

VA-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.