ALBANY, NEW YORK - Catherine M. Kosakavich, age 51, of Troy, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 2 years of probation, and ordered to pay $49,766 in restitution, for unlawfully taking veteran benefits intended for her mother.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey G. Hughes of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office.
In pleading guilty on March 17, 2016, Kosakavich admitted that as legal guardian for her mother, she received her mother's veteran benefit payment each month. Kosakavich’s mother died on Feb. 18, 2013. Kosakavich failed to notify the VA of her mother’s death and, for almost two and a half years, she stole government property by continuing to receive and spend monthly benefit payments totaling $49,766.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Solomon B. Shinerock.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
