Donald Trump promised to take care of America’s veterans when he returned to the White House.
His administration is already delivering on that promise.
And the Justice Department just revealed a shocking fraud scheme that will make your blood boil.
Three men charged with stealing millions meant for America’s heroes
The Trump administration has taken swift action to clean up corruption at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a jaw-dropping case of fraud announced Friday, three men have been charged with stealing over $9.1 million in education benefits that were meant for America’s veterans.
Brian Matsudo, 58, of Honolulu, Marshall Scott, 39, of Kapolei, and Raheem Wells, 37, of Indianapolis, allegedly conspired to bilk the Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit program out of millions.
Matsudo, who owned a massage therapy training school in Hawaii, has already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces up to five years in prison for his role in the scheme.
According to court documents, these fraudsters ran their scam for six years – from November 2016 all the way through November 2022.
And their scheme was as brazen as it was disgusting.
Matsudo’s massage school wasn’t even in compliance with VA regulations. Instead of fixing the issues, he decided to game the system.
Scott, who worked at the school, submitted enrollment certification forms to the VA for at least 40 military veterans who were supposedly enrolled at the school. These forms contained false information and falsely certified that the school had complied with all the rules.
Wells, who was briefly a student at the school, helped recruit other “students” who allowed the school to lie to the VA by falsely representing that they were actually taking courses.
These criminals got rich off America’s heroes
Both Scott and Wells allegedly profited handsomely from the scheme.
Matsudo paid Scott for each person that he and Wells recruited, using money from the VA’s tuition payments. Wells received monthly payments from the individuals he recruited to participate in the fraud.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Wells was also charged with obstruction of justice for instructing a witness to lie to federal investigators.
Scott and Wells were both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Wells faces an additional 20 years for the obstruction charge if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General and the FBI. Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case against Matsudo, while Glasner and Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan are prosecuting Scott and Wells.
Stopping fraud to protect America’s veterans
This case highlights a shocking scheme that stole millions from a program designed to help America’s heroes.
For years, these alleged fraudsters diverted funds meant for veterans who risked their lives for our country. The scheme began in 2016 and continued operating until November 2022, stealing over $9.1 million in education benefits.
President Trump has made it clear that his administration will not tolerate this kind of abuse. His appointment of Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs signals a renewed focus on rooting out fraud and ensuring that benefits go to the veterans who earned them.
Collins, an Air Force Reserve colonel and Iraq War veteran with over 20 years of military experience, understands the issues facing veterans across America.
During his Senate confirmation, Collins emphasized his commitment to protecting veterans’ benefits and ensuring the VA works efficiently for those who served.
The prosecution of this case demonstrates that those who attempt to defraud programs meant for our veterans will be held accountable.
The prosecution of these individuals sends a clear message that those who attempt to defraud programs meant to help our nation’s heroes will be held accountable.
American veterans deserve better than to have their benefits stolen by greedy fraudsters. Thanks to the Trump administration’s renewed focus on the VA, they’re finally getting the protection they deserve.