Department Of Navy Employee Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $22,000 From United States Navy

Memphis, TN – Donna L. Brown, age 45, of Millington, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to a criminal information charging her with theft of government funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641, announced Edward L. Stanton III, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

According to the criminal information and statements made in court, Brown was an employee of the United States Department of Navy assigned to the Navy Personnel Command Onboard Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee. Her primary duties included coordinating travel and processing travel reimbursement claims for Navy families of deceased active duty sailors.

Between June 2012 and March 2013, Brown filed approximately 19 false claims for travel reimbursement with the United States Navy using the personal identifying information (such as Social Security numbers) of family members of deceased Navy sailors. She then deposited the money that she received from these false claims into banking accounts controlled by her and her family members. The Navy’s investigation revealed that Brown unlawfully collected $22,500.19 from the Navy as a result of the false claims that she filed.

Brown faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. before United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman.

This case was investigated by the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Leetra J. Harris on behalf of the government.