Natasha Peredo Vitug, a former Eligibility Specialist at the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), has been sentenced in the U.S. District Court of Guam for defrauding federal assistance programs. Vitug, 49, received a sentence of one month in prison followed by 11 months of home confinement. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution totaling $149,944.84 along with a $100 special assessment fee.
Vitug was charged with Theft Concerning Program Receiving Federal Funds under 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A). As part of her sentence, she is barred from further participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
According to court records, Vitug used her position at DPHSS to unlawfully re-apply for Cash Assistance Program (CAP) and SNAP benefits using the names of individuals who had either left Guam or were no longer participating in these programs.
“Taxpayers deserve accountability for funding that supports public programs,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Vitug’s corrupt conduct deprived the SNAP program of important resources. I applaud the efforts of law enforcement in bringing her to justice.”
“Ms. Vitug abused her position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds meant to help low-income families put food on the table,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David K. Porter. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated to protecting these programs, and we will pursue these investigations at all levels.”
The investigation into this case was conducted by both the Guam DPHSS Investigation & Recovery Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg prosecuted the case.
