U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody | U.S. Department of Justice
Kevin Paul McMains, a 44-year-old Army veteran from Milton, Florida, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for theft of government money and making false statements to a federal agency. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
"Our service members, and their families, make incredible sacrifices to defend our country and are deserving of our deepest respect and the disability benefits intended for our injured patriots," stated U.S. Attorney Coody. "Consequently, the defendant’s fabrication of documents and false claims of service-connected injuries, to include his assertion he was awarded a Purple Heart, is not only criminal but repugnant. We remain committed to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who defraud government disability programs, stealing benefits earned by our veterans."
Court documents revealed that McMains received over $779,000 in government disability benefits over nearly 14 years by submitting fraudulent documentation and making false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He falsely claimed post-traumatic stress affected his life severely enough to prevent him from working or performing daily activities. He also falsely claimed receipt of a Purple Heart as evidence of service-connected injuries. His fraud extended to receiving Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage unjustly.
"This sentence sends a clear message that veterans who defraud VA by exaggerating their disabilities will be held accountable," said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office.
"Mr. McMains defrauded the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $357,847 with fabricated documents that falsely reported his medical condition. His malicious acts are inexcusable. and this 33-month prison sentence holds him accountable for his crimes," commented Jermaine Jack, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the SSA Office of the Inspector General's Atlanta Field Division.
"Individuals who fraudulently obtain Medicare benefits that they are not entitled to divert taxpayer funds meant to pay for essential health services for legitimate enrollees, including the elderly and disabled," noted Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
In addition to his prison term, McMains must pay restitution totaling $378,380.82 to the VA, $357,847.80 to the SSA, and $43,451.56 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Following his imprisonment, he will undergo two years of supervised release.
The case was investigated jointly by several agencies: the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General; Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General; and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love along with Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
For more information on accessing public court documents online or about the United States Attorney’s Office for Northern District Florida visit their website at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
