VA benefits fraud

What a public plea described

On April 30, 2025, the Office of Public Affairs announced that Jeffrey Williams, 37, of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs of nearly $3 million. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years. The release says a judge will set the sentence. This page does not report a sentence, because the release does not. ¹ Source 1

The release says that from about July 2022 to May 2024, Williams was a career services manager at a school offering veterans cyber job-training that the VA could pay for. He created fraudulent employment offer letters, falsified certifications, and forged veterans’ signatures so it would appear veterans had the employment the school needed in order to receive tuition. He caused hundreds of false documents to be submitted, claiming approximately $2.9 million in tuition payments for at least 189 veterans. The VA Office of Inspector General is investigating. ¹ Source 1

Which published programs may apply

The Fraud Division’s reward pages include fraud on programs or benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The early award is $10,000 to $30,000, in the Department’s discretion, after unsealed criminal charges, if the other published requirements are met. ² Source 2 ³ Source 3

VA tuition payments are federal funds. The False Claims Act is the civil statute the Justice Department describes for knowingly false claims. The Williams release is a criminal guilty plea. It does not report a civil relator share. ¹ Source 1 ⁴ Source 4

Where to report

Report at America.gov/fraud. The release identifies the VA Office of Inspector General as the investigating office. The Civil Division describes inspector general reports as one way to report fraud against a federal agency. This site does not collect the tip. ¹ Source 1 ⁵ Source 5 ⁶ Source 6