Army Veteran Convicted for Defrauding VA of $170K in Caregiver Benefits

A U.S. Army veteran has been convicted of defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of over $170,000 in caregiver benefit payments.

A federal jury found James Bradford, 49, of Kansas, guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of public money, property or records, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas.

The office said that from August 2014 to July 2023, Bradford and his caregiver provided false and fraudulent statements concerning the level of care he needed in order to claim assistance from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)—a program which provides monthly payments to people who care for veterans. This program is designed for people who spend so much time caring for others that it affects their ability to work and, therefore, their income level.

The office added that Bradford and his caregiver both claimed that he was not able to provide himself with basic care, such as medication management, organizing financial affairs and transportation, requiring his caregiver to do these things on his behalf.

Bradford made the claims despite being employed, according to authorities.

From May 2016 until around 2025, he worked for the federal government as a project manager in Topeka for the General Services Administration (GSA). In this role, he reportedly oversaw multi-million-dollar contracts between GSA and vendors.

‘Unacceptable’

The investigation comes after the DOJ announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7 aimed “to zealously investigate and prosecute” those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars, as part of President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud that is chaired by Vice President JD Vance.

“Fraud against a program designed to provide essential care to veterans is unacceptable,” Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson, of the U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division, said in a statement. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to stop fraud and ensure federal programs operate with integrity.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) and U.S. General Services Administration-Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG) are investigating the Bradford case.

U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.

“Safeguarding benefits for veterans is a priority, and our investigators work diligently to ensure that VA’s programs are not exploited for financial gain by fraudulent actors,” Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the VA-OIG said in prepared remarks. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners who remain committed to hold accountable those who would defraud VA’s programs and services.”

Other Similar Incidents

There have been other recent investigations into fraud.

Earlier this month, a woman pleaded guilty to stealing $160,000 worth of veterans’ and social security benefits that were meant for a family member.

Barbara Ferrell, a 63-year-old woman from Seth, W. Va., pleaded guilty to theft of government money, admitting she stole approximately $160,394.02 while serving as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appointed fiduciary and Social Security Administration (SSA) representative for a family member.

Last month, a woman who stole $240,000 from the VA and used the funds to pay off her student loans, was sentenced to one year in prison.