Fuduciary Mess Indictment

[Berta]

“Employee of Tuskegee Attorney Indicted for Embezzling Funds From Veterans’ Accounts

Montgomery, Alabama - Joy Farmer, 41, of Columbus, Georgia, was arraigned today on

federal bank fraud charges arising out of her embezzlement of funds from veterans’ bank

accounts, Leura G. Canary, United States Attorney, announced today.

The indictment, which was unsealed today, alleges that Farmer was employed as an

administrative assistant for an attorney in Tuskegee, Alabama (the “Attorney”). The Attorney

had been appointed as a fiduciary for several individuals receiving veterans benefits pursuant to

the Fiduciary Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), which

oversees benefits paid to beneficiaries who are incapable of handling their funds–either because

they are minors or because of injury, disease, or old age. For each beneficiary, the Attorney

established a bank account to receive VA benefits and pay appropriate expenses (the

“Beneficiary Accounts”).

The indictment further alleges that between January 1999 and May 2004, Farmer

embezzled approximately $626,101.67 from 25 different Beneficiary Accounts by writing 327

checks to herself from the Beneficiary Accounts, forging the Attorney’s signature on the checks,

depositing the checks in her own bank account, and using the funds to pay personal expenses. To

conceal her conduct, Farmer would (a) deposit checks drawn on one Beneficiary Account into a

different Beneficiary Account, and (b) deposit funds intended for one beneficiary to be deposited

into the Beneficiary Account of a different beneficiary.

The indictment charges Farmer with eight counts of bank fraud, each of which carries a

statutory maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1 million, and an order of

restitution.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and defendants are

presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

At her arraignment today, Farmer pleaded not guilty and was released by Chief

Magistrate Judge Susan R. Walker on a $25,000 unsecured bond. Trial was set for August 22,

2011 in Opelika before Chief United States District Judge Mark E. Fuller.

The case was investigated by the VA’s Office of Inspector General. The case is being

prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew O. Schiff and Gray M. Borden.”

http://www.justice.gov/usao/alm/press/current_press/2011_04_06_farmer.pdf

[Pete53]

Wonder if they will show the connection between VARO and "The Attorney"

[john999]

If the court has to assign you a guardian you are in trouble. There are professional guardians who do it for a living. These people are in for the money and don't give a damn about the people whose lives they rule. The professional guardians stick you in a nursing home and try to get your relatives to let them dispose of your assets.

[jbasser]

This could only be the tip of the iceburg. There are a lot of crooks out there and these crimes of opportunity are very common..

J

[carlie]

At her arraignment today, Farmer pleaded not guilty and

was released by Chief Magistrate Judge Susan R. Walker on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

http://www.justice.g...4_06_farmer.pdf

Here she has stolen the possessions of these veterans and this

obtuse judge has released her on a mere 25K UNSECURED BOND.

If the thief doesn't show for court this #@^*&!G Judge should have to pay restitution

to the victims.

JMHO

[Pete53]

Here she has stolen the possessions of these veterans and this

obtuse judge has released her on a mere 25K UNSECURED BOND.

If the thief doesn't show for court this #@^*&!G Judge should have to pay restitution

to the victims.

JMHO

I think that the VA should make the Veterans get full restiturtion and than try and colect from the corooks who were stealing the money.

By the way unfortunately when someone is given the power to manage money for another many seem to think that they are owed for doing this. I know of many cases when a trusted family member has stolen funds same as this woman did.

I think that the VA should be very careful about making a Veteran a fiduciary and they should require a bond when they do it