FLORIDA — A Pasco County man has pleaded guilty to stealing Veterans Affairs benefits.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced on Wednesday that Anthony J. Salomone, 64, of Odessa, pleaded guilty to theft of government property.
Mr Salomone faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2024.
According to court documents, Salomone’s mother received Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits as the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. The benefits were directly deposited into the mother’s checking account, to which Mr Salomone reportedly had access via a power of attorney.
Salomone’s mother died on October 2, 2017.
Mr Salomone did not report his mother’s death to the VA, which continued to deposit monthly benefits for her until March 2022, thinking she was still alive. Salomone is said to have taken the benefits, to which he was not entitled, and spent them on personal and business expenses.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, he stole $63,359.92 in funds belonging to the United States in total.
The Department of Veterans Affairs—Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office investigated this case. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Del Mastro and Suzanne Huyler are prosecuting it.
