A Department of Veterans Affairs employee has agreed to plead guilty to embezzling nearly $70,000 in VA funds through its mobile pay app.
Michael Donaher, 41, of Lakeville, was charged with one count of embezzlement and theft of public money, property or records, according to a release from the District of Massachusetts United States Attorney’s Office.
As part of his plea arrangement, Donaher agreed to reimburse the government for the money he stole, according to the release. He worked as an inventory management specialist for the VA Medical Facility in Brockton. Donaher was responsible for purchasing equipment the facility needed.
Donaher allegedly conducted fraudulent transactions using his government-issued purchase cards and routed the proceeds to his personal bank account, according to the Justice Department.
“Donaher attempted to conceal these fraudulent purchases by making it appear as if the purchases were made through a large company -- FW Webb -- that the VA frequently uses for legitimate business,” the release reads.
Instead, Donaher made those purchases through a company he created via the mobile payment company Square, Inc.
“These purchases were not for actual items received by the VA,” the release continues.
Donaher allegedly attempted to hide the purchases by noting they had been received in the VA’s accountability system.
The scheme began in 2016. A plea hearing has not been scheduled. Donaher was arrested in January.
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Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingets.com.
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