Army Reserve Soldier Agrees to pay $20,000 to Settle Civil Claims of Obtaining Fraudulent Housing Benefits

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma -- Monique J. Ritz, a reserve soldier with the United States Army from Edmond, Oklahoma, has agreed to pay $20,000 to the United States to settle civil claims related to obtaining fraudulent housing benefits, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

The United States filed a civil action against Ritz and her former spouse Edward Donahue, a former reserve soldier with the United States Army, alleging that from June of 2007 through January of 2010, Donahue submitted travel vouchers for lodging reimbursement which included lease agreements created and signed by Ritz. It was alleged that the lease agreements falsely represented that Donahue was the only occupant of the residence and that Donahue was paying rent to Ritz when in fact they were living together in the residence as husband and wife. As a result, Donahue and Ritz received lodging reimbursement benefits from the United States Army to which they were not entitled. Ritz did not admit liability but agreed to pay $20,000 to the government in order to resolve the claims against her. In addition, Ritz executed a Consent Judgment of her indebtedness in favor of the United States in the amount of $20,000. The agreement allows the parties to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty involved in litigating the case.

This case was investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gallegos.