Florida man sentenced for defrauding Veterans Health Administration Program

FLORIDA — A Tampa man has been sentenced to prison for defrauding a Veterans Health Administration Program.

Rupert G. McLendon, III, 51, was sentenced to 90 days in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  U.S. District Judge James S. Moodys sentenced him.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of $37,402, the proceeds of the wire fraud conspiracy, as part of his sentence.

Mr McLendon entered a guilty plea on January 25, 2024.

According to court documents, McLendon was a paid caretaker for a family member through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services (VDHCBS) Program. The veteran for whom McLendon was a paid caregiver was admitted to the hospital in August 2018 and reportedly remained hospitalized until his death on or about December 31, 2018.

Mr McLendon reportedly failed to notify the VDHCBS program of the veteran’s hospitalization and death. Instead, McLendon continued to input, or cause to be input, caregiver hours into the VDHCBS payroll system, and he made false and misleading statements regarding the veteran’s whereabouts and health when contacted by VDHCBS staff.

Due to these fraudulent payroll entries and representations, the VDHCBS Program and a government contractor associated with that program reportedly suffered a total loss of at least $37,402.39.

“The Veteran-Directed Care program provides a vital bridge between VA’s treatment team and the daily care needs of our nation’s veterans. This sentencing sends a clear message that those exploiting veterans to commit fraud will be investigated and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office.

“The VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard this important VA program.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General investigated this case, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler prosecuted it.