63-year-old Eric D. Smith was sentenced to four years and three months in prison with no possibility of parole this week. He also must pay back the $234,461 that he defrauded from the Veterans Affairs Department while he claimed to be a veteran from October 2012 until he was caught in April 2014, according to the Justice Department website.
On Feb. 3, 2016, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of violating the False Claims Act and one count of student loan fraud. Smith admitted that he assumed the identity of another person, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, from October 2012 through April 2014. Smith fraudulently obtained a VA identification card and VA health care benefits utilizing this stolen identity.
Smith fraudulently received approximately $15,459 in VA health care treatment, $12,956 in Veterans Retraining Assistance Program educational benefits and $656 in travel benefits from the Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Military Times says that wasn’t the first time nor was Missouri the only place;
That restitution includes payments to additional agencies victimized by Smith when he engaged in similar fraud in Maryland, Georgia and Florida.
These are the guys ahead of you in line at the VA.
Not enough nasty words in my vocabulary….
Yep
I’d like to know how these clowns are getting in? Do they have an inside man? Something fishy is going on….I had to give them everything but what I had for breakfast to get in??? Then the suckers still didn’t put me down as a Vietnam Vet, even with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal? I don’t get it, something is as crooked there as it is in the clinton household or the white house!!
I could loan you some of mine but they would be nothing but a starter kit compared with what should be said re this guy.
When there is “free stuff” to be had for the asking, sooner or later someone will lie their butt off to get it.
If you’re placing a bet on when, take “sooner” vice “later”.
Free stuff, Huh. Let me ask, are you a veteran? I would say fighting for your country with a huge chance of losing your life, and getting seriously injured in the process, is payment.
Haven’t been around these parts too long, have you? You can rest assured that Hondo is a veteran…
(“Free stuff” is free when you didn’t earn it with your service, as this guy was convicted of doing…)
The asshat in question was not a veteran, he stole the identity of a veteran and then used that stolen identity to get benefits that he was not entitled to receive.
“When there is “free stuff” to be had for the asking, sooner or later someone will lie their butt off to get it.”
as has also been the evolution of politicians in the country
Enjoy your four year and three month vacation asshole.
Now he’ll get the free medical care he wanted – at least for the next 4 years 3 months.
Splash. Out.
This just fucking pisses me off. I’m going on four years of being jerked around by the VA over a fucking MRI and CT-scan to get my cracked fucking skull and TBI even diagnosed! Yes, I said cracked skull, because it is visible as a huge fault-line down the top of my head. But, no. I’m constantly told to “call back next week” because there are no open MRI appointment slots and they can’t book me further out than 14 days so it doesn’t look like they’re trying to cook the books. I mean, what in the ever-loving fuck!!!
Have they talked to you about the Vets Choice program at all? You should really tell them you are supposed to be referred to the Vets Choice Program so you can get a civilian done MRI scan.
If they aren’t, sounds like obstruction to provide you benefits. Not surprising, but you should tag them on it the next time you call.
Like MSG Eric said, try using the Veterans Choice Program. Here’s the website.
http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/
If you continue to have issues with the Va, contact your Congressman. Looks like you are in Oregon.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/OR
Also, contact the DAV to represent you in your claims.
Don’t give up, you earned the right!
Never let the bastards wear you down!
Flagwaver. I don’t remember if I spoke to you about this before are not, but you are a injured / wounded combat vet you could get a slot at DHCC that would kick the door in as far as dealing with the VA
Did they run you through a MEB ?????
just because you have been out I know a GOOD NCM
That maybe able to help plus a page/blog explaining getting a recall to do a MEB
are you interested????
Get hold of your congressman…..those suckers DO NOT LIKE ADVERSE NOTORIETY!!
Flagwaver: If you have waited this long, you are being treated with the utmost apathy and disrespect. This exceeds the bounds of ‘not giving a shit’. As I posted yesterday on another subject on TAH, Mrs. SP4/HMC had an MRI within a few weeks of consult. I know, the VA is not the VA is not the VA. At a minimum your MRI should have been farmed out. Here is what I recommend, having worked at VA for years (I’m now retired):
GO IN (if possible) and speak with a Patient Representative. Lay it out (DO NOT in any way be hostile … that’s a non-starter). Ask for resolution within a specified time, say two working days. Ask him WHEN you can expect a call from him or the Radiology Department. They may be vague re a time frame. I would NOT suggest to the PR that I plan to take the issue up the food chain if there is no quick resolution. By saying nothing re this, he/she will feel they have some control over the outcome. By suggesting an escalation, he/she may already feel you plan to throw them under the bus. I’ve seen this backfire … human nature, I believe. However, be prepared to immediately go to the next step the day after the agreed upon date passes, provided there is an agreement. If not, go to the next step when you feel you have waited long enough, perhaps 2 days … your call. Personally, I feel you have waited long enough.
If/When nothing happens, you CAN call your Congressperson. Ask when you can expect feedback from HIM/HER re the problem. You will almost certainly be met with vagueness at this step. They might honestly not know how long the process will take. Consider the above steps re time to execute. You might skip this step. Why? A letter is almost a certainty, so that the issue can be documented and proves his/her assistance to you. A phone call documents nothing. The letter and reply may take weeks. I know this to be true. I’m inclined to skip this step as it is the most time consuming. I offer it so you might give it some thought. If you skip this step, you should go to:
I would drop a dime to VA Secretary Robert McDonald. He actually gave out his number, I think last year. It is supposedly HIS personal number, but I’m thinking those within his office handle the calls. There may be dozens of calls each day. Others on TAH may have the number. It may be on google. I do believe you will get results if you speak with him or even anyone in his office. Why? Because upper echelon of VA is very aware of negative press, having been burned for several years. Again, ask WHEN you can expect a return call. Possible vagueness, as noted above. Ask when you can expect feedback re progress on the problem.
After resolution of your problem, I would call and ask McDonald for enrollment in the Veterans Choice Program. Tell him you have lost all confidence and feel uncomfortable with the VA, that you have difficulty interacting with VA employees as they have treated you with disrespect for 4 years, that the manner in which they have treated you has affected your mental health. (I see in your post that this may be true from your justifiable anger.) Ignoring you is more than indifference, it’s disrespect. It may be malpractice. Tell him you fear they will treat you more poorly, if that is possible, as you have stirred the pot. After your ordeal,I would ask for this if I lived a block from the VA. If you get a negative response, I would follow up with a letter addressed to him asking that he reconsider. You have clearly developed a good case for using the VCP. Actually, the case was developed for you by the VA due to their indifference.
Depending on how frustrated you are, you might skip the Congressperson and call McDonald. You’ve waited long enough. Hell, I’m pissed just from reading your post.
Long post, but wanted to lay out options you may not have considered. Also long b/c I hate seeing those who have earned care being treated with disrespect and apathy.
Jonn, if I burned your server, router, cassette recorder or 8-Track with this post, I’ll soon send you more money. Don’t you waste it on cheap booze, as you did last time; buy the good stuff. Regards.
Flagwaver: Let us know how this turns out if you would. You have the patience of Job. Wishing you the best.
Fraudster like to be a “vet”, but doesn’t have the sack to do those things (serve in uniform) to be considered a vet.
Hope that “the boys” have a whole lot of fun in the poundhimintheass prison with Eric. D. Smith, and that Eric is a frequent “customer” at the Prison Deli ran by Thor, Bubba, Julio and Mr. “Tiny”.
He was probably sitting in the VA with a 1000 mile stare telling stories of his navy seal days in Vietnam and telling the younger guys how easy they had it.
Four years and three months in the embraces of Bubba, Thor and the gang. BEND OVER AND PICK UP THE SOAP when you’re told to, BITCH!!!????
How in the hell did he get $234,461.00 from the VA in that short period of time?
Holy shit…
“That restitution includes payments to additional agencies victimized by Smith when he engaged in similar fraud in Maryland, Georgia and Florida.”
The boy gets around.
Sounds like some loser douchebag who sat off the coast of Vietnam taking pictures and doing laps in the deep sink suddenly getting a 100 percent rating for Agent Orange exposure.
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Here’s hoping that fucker does some hard time too.
ROT in hell asshole
I’m starting to read more of these story’s are they starting to get serious about cleaning up the fraud
If so good job VA, now take care if f my brothers and sisters that need help
“He also must pay back the $234,461 that he defrauded from the Veterans Affairs Department while he claimed to be a veteran”
My ass!! Like that’s going to happen!
He’s frickin’ 63 years old!
Just take all and any of his shit & sell it!
But nooooooo, can’t do that…that wouldn’t be fair. sarc/
Asswipe!
You’d be amazed.
He is a bit old to change his sexual orientation but I wish bubba and the boys have fun trying
me and Bubba going to have fun with his ass
Hi, Thor. Say hello to Tiny and Dr Julio.
Not that I know any of y’all up close and personal. Nothing personal.
Word ^^^^
Motherfucker !!!
Cocksucker.
Florida, huh?
I wonder if he was down in Merritt Island at All-Points Logistics?
I could definitely see this guy contracting to them as a consultant.