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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dwayne Brice, 37, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to theft of government money, before Senior U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott S. Allen, Jr., and Stephanie O. Lamarque, who are handling the case, stated that the Department of Veterans Affairs appointed Brice as a fiduciary for his elderly father-in-law, who received veteran’s benefits. As fiduciary, the defendant had a duty to manage those funds and pay for his father-in-law’s living expenses. Between August 2013 and September 2015, Brice stole approximately $38,904 in veteran’s benefits, gambling some of the money at local casinos.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Donna L. Neves.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Geraci.