Woman Who Stole $240K From VA to Pay Off Student Loans Gets Prison Sentence

Authorities have announced a one-year prison sentence for a woman who stole more than $240,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and used the funds to pay off her student loans.

The Department of Justice announced Monday that Christina Nolte, 42, of Bridgeport, W. Va., was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for theft of public money. Nolte, a licensed physician assistant, reportedly falsified her medical records to file for and receive VA disability benefits. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh presided over the matter.

Authorities said she then used her fraudulently obtained disability to discharge $242,528 in federal student loans. Nolte has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $355,179.13.

“By falsifying her medical records and exploiting programs meant to support our nation’s veterans, Ms. Nolte stole taxpayer funds and undermined systems designed to help those who served,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey, who made the statement on behalf of the DOJ. “We will continue to hold those who engage in benefits fraud accountable.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, while the case was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.

In August 2025, Nolte was indicted on one count of theft of public money, property, or records; three counts of making false statements; and one count of student loan fraud, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

She faced up to 10 years in federal prison for the theft count, up to 5 years for each of the false statement counts, and up to 5 years in federal prison for the student loan fraud count.

The indictment sought forfeiture and a money judgment in the amount of $360,466.38, failling roughly $5,000 short as part of her new sentence.

Role of National Fraud Enforcement Division

This past April, the DOJ ​announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

Established by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on April 7 and also known as the “Fraud Division,” its role involves investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people and supports President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud as part of a broader whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.

The DOJ said the division relies on advanced data-driven investigative techniques, coordinating with agencies responsible for administering taxpayer-funded programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial and local law enforcement; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification and investigation of fraud; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice.

The Veterans Benefits Administration offers those who rely on VA funds to submit claims and encourages such recipients to educate themselves about various types of fraud, overpayment scams, pension coaching, and romance and friendship scams that could have negative financial repercussions.