A Department of Homeland Security employee was arrested and charged with wire fraud and submitting false statements in a mortgage application for a $478,000 loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a July 16 announcement from federal authorities in Boston.
Schleider Aristhyl, 30, of Warwick, Rhode Island, is accused of submitting two falsified documents as part of his October 2024 application for a VA-backed mortgage. Prosecutors allege that one document falsely stated Aristhyl had received a 100% disability rating from the VA and was receiving monthly disability benefits exceeding $3,000. Authorities say he did not have such a rating or receive those benefits at the time.
A second document allegedly claimed Aristhyl was exempt from paying the required funding fee for VA-backed mortgages. According to prosecutors, this document was also falsified and Aristhyl was not eligible for exemption from the fee, which exceeded $10,000. Based on these alleged misrepresentations, the lender issued him a $478,000 mortgage on Oct. 25, 2024; the VA subsequently issued its loan guarantee backing part of that amount on Jan. 21, 2025.
If convicted on either charge—wire fraud or false statement in a mortgage application—Aristhyl faces up to 30 years in prison per count, as well as five years supervised release and fines up to $250,000 each. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office announced the charges. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility assisted with the investigation; Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh is prosecuting.
“The details contained in the charging document are allegations,” authorities said. “The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.” The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions including national security threats and civil rights violations; it serves all residents statewide through facilities at Boston’s John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester; employs over 200 attorneys and staff; advances community initiatives on civil rights; operates under the United States Department of Justice, according to the official website.