St. Louis, MO -Vincent DeBlasi, 72, of Fenton, MO, pleaded guilty to making false claims against the United States today. DeBlasi appeared before United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and set sentencing for Sept. 14, 2018.
DeBlasi admitted to submitting scores of false invoices to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks totaling more than $644,000 between 2012 and 2017. He was employed by Applied Maintenance Supplies and Solutions (AMSS) as a salesman of tools and other various commercial and industrial products. One of DeBlasi’s accounts for AMSS was the Jefferson Barracks Medical Facility.
Special Agent in Charge Gregg Hirstein of the VA Office of Inspector General said, “We aggressively investigate cases of individuals or companies who defraud the VA by taking money from the programs and operations meant for our nation’s veterans. We hope this case prompts others aware of fraud against the VA to contact the VA OIG Hotline."
DeBlasi faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000 or both. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General. Tom Albus is handling the case for the U. S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
