A Florida woman was indicted for defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs of more than $300,000.
United States Attorney Roger Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging 65-year-old Laurie Ann Roszelle, of Fort Myers, with one count of wire fraud.
If convicted, Roszelle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Roszelle that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $338,364.66, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
According to the indictment, for nearly 19 years after her mother’s death in 2005, Roszelle schemed to wrongfully receive United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits intended for her mother.
To effectuate the scheme, Roszelle falsified her mother’s signature in responding to VA correspondence and represented, in telephone and in-person interviews with the VA, that her mother was still alive years after her mother’s death, according to authorities.
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter.
