Ex-Soldier Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To Four Years In Prison For Extensive Veterans’ Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme
Christopher Wilson, a former Army private dishonorably discharged in 2003, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a fraud scheme involving the fraudulent application for unemployment
Christopher Wilson, a former Army private dishonorably discharged in 2003, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a fraud scheme involving the fraudulent application for unemployment benefits intended for veterans. Between August 2010 and September 2011, Wilson conspired with others to file dozens of false applications, obtaining approximately $143,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled by using forged documents and the personal information of unsuspecting individuals. Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds and one count of mail fraud, and was ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor.
Christopher Wilson, a former Army private dishonorably discharged in 2003, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a fraud scheme involving the fraudulent application for unemployment benefits intended for veterans. Between August 2010 and September 2011, Wilson conspired with others to file dozens of false applications, obtaining approximately $143,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled by using forged documents and the personal information of unsuspecting individuals. Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds and one count of mail fraud, and was ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor. Christopher Wilson, a former Army private dishonorably discharged in 2003, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a veterans’ unemployment benefits fraud scheme, obtaining approximately $143,000 in UCX benefits to which he was not entitled. Wilson pled guilty to one count of theft of Government funds and one count of mail fraud in July 2012. He was ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor. The fraud involved submitting false applications using stolen identities and forged military discharge documents. The case was investigated by the Department of Defense and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York.
Extracted insights
- $143K $143,000 $100K–$1M
- person army private
- person christopher wilson
- person Preet Bharara
- scheme_term theft of government funds and mail fraud
- Christopher Wilson sentenced to four years in prison
- Christopher Wilson obtained $143,000 in unemployment benefits
- Christopher Wilson pled guilty to theft of Government funds and mail fraud
- Christopher Wilson dishonorably discharged 2003
- Christopher Wilson conspired to file false and fraudulent UCX benefit applications
- Christopher Wilson ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution
- Andrew L. Carter, Jr. sentenced Christopher Wilson
- Preet Bharara announced sentencing of Christopher Wilson
- Christopher Wilson served as Army private
- Christopher Wilson resided in Spring Lake, North Carolina
Press Release Ex-Soldier Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To Four Years In Prison For Extensive Veterans’ Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme Friday, April 12, 2013 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Christopher Wilson Obtained Approximately $143,000 To Which He Was Not Entitled Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHRISTOPHER WILSON, a one-time Army private who was dishonorably discharged in 2003 after deserting his post, was sentenced today to four years in prison for filing dozens of false and fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits intended for other military veterans, ultimately obtaining approximately $143,000 to which he was not entitled. WILSON pled guilty in July 2012 to one count of theft of Government funds and one count of mail fraud. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. According to the Complaint, the Information, WILSON’s plea agreement, statements made in court proceedings, and other public documents: Federal law provides for a permanent program of unemployment compensation for unemployed individuals separated from the Armed Forces, called the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members Program (“UCX”). UCX benefits are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and administered by the states on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”). To qualify for UCX benefits, a claimant must provide his or her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (known as a “DD Form 214”), and must have been discharged or separated from their respective service honorably. Between August 2010 until his arrest in September 2011, WILSON conspired with others to file dozens of false and fraudulent applications for UCX benefits to which they were not entitled. They did so by obtaining the names and social security numbers of unknowing individuals; creating fraudulent DD Form 214s and other documents which purported to indicate that these individuals had served in, and been honorably discharged from, the military; and then submitting these fraudulent documents to states, including New York, in support of claims for UCX benefits. In so doing, WILSON received approximately $143,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled. In addition to the prison term, WILSON, 33, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, was ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor (“NYS DOL”). Mr. Bharara thanked DOL, NYS DOL, and the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their assistance in the investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Edward B. Diskant is in charge of the prosecution. Updated May 13, 2015 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 13-130
Press Release Ex-Soldier Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To Four Years In Prison For Extensive Veterans’ Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme Friday, April 12, 2013 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Christopher Wilson Obtained Approximately $143,000 To Which He Was Not Entitled Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHRISTOPHER WILSON, a one-time Army private who was dishonorably discharged in 2003 after deserting his post, was sentenced today to four years in prison for filing dozens of false and fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits intended for other military veterans, ultimately obtaining approximately $143,000 to which he was not entitled. WILSON pled guilty in July 2012 to one count of theft of Government funds and one count of mail fraud. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. According to the Complaint, the Information, WILSON’s plea agreement, statements made in court proceedings, and other public documents: Federal law provides for a permanent program of unemployment compensation for unemployed individuals separated from the Armed Forces, called the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members Program (“UCX”). UCX benefits are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and administered by the states on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”). To qualify for UCX benefits, a claimant must provide his or her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (known as a “DD Form 214”), and must have been discharged or separated from their respective service honorably. Between August 2010 until his arrest in September 2011, WILSON conspired with others to file dozens of false and fraudulent applications for UCX benefits to which they were not entitled. They did so by obtaining the names and social security numbers of unknowing individuals; creating fraudulent DD Form 214s and other documents which purported to indicate that these individuals had served in, and been honorably discharged from, the military; and then submitting these fraudulent documents to states, including New York, in support of claims for UCX benefits. In so doing, WILSON received approximately $143,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled. In addition to the prison term, WILSON, 33, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, was ordered to pay $143,000 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor (“NYS DOL”). Mr. Bharara thanked DOL, NYS DOL, and the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their assistance in the investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Edward B. Diskant is in charge of the prosecution. Updated May 13, 2015 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 13-130