DALLAS - Robert Gausman, 54, of Rockwall, Texas, appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney and pleaded guilty to one count of misappropriation by fiduciary. U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas made today’s announcement.
Gausman faces a statutory penalty not to exceed 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. According to the plea agreement, he could also be ordered to pay restitution. Gausman will remain on bond pending sentencing, which will be set at a later date.
According to documents filed in the case, from September 2014 and continuing to October 2016, Gausman was appointed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through his company “The WACKO Group LLC," as the Paid Federal Fiduciary (PFF) for four individuals, each veterans who have been deemed incompetent and are receiving benefits from the VA. As a PFF, the VA appointed Gausman to manage the VA benefits of these beneficiaries because they are unable to manage their own finances. Gausman was only entitled to a 4% commission of the funds and permitted to use the money for preapproved expenditures. Gausman knew his role and what was allowed as a PFF, and yet knowingly and willfully embezzled the funds of these four veterans for his own use. In total, Gausman embezzled $40,668 in funds from these four beneficiaries.
The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rumsey is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
