VA Director Connie S. Wilkinson Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft

[Robbien]

Source: Imperial Valley News

Tucson, Arizona - Connie S. Wilkinson, 54, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced here Monday by U.S. District Judge David C. Bury to 27 months in federal prison, and ordered to pay restitution of $365,816 to the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Wilkinson pleaded guilty on October 2, 2008 to Theft of Public Money, Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud.

Wilkinson was the Clinical Director of Education and Training at Southern Arizona Veteran's Affairs Heath Care System (VA) in Tucson, Arizona, between 1999 and 2006, and was issued a government credit card to pay for legitimate expenses in connection with her position. Through various schemes, Wilkinson stole $365,816 in government funds from the VA.

. . .

Wilkinson also used her government credit card to make internet purchases of $47,750 in Target and Amazon gift cards which she used for personal purchases such as jewelry, clothing, toys, electronics and home goods. Finally, she used her VA credit card to charge the VA for $244,380 in fictitious goods and services, payable to the fictitious business account controlled by defendant. Wilkinson then spent the money on apparel, jewelry, personal housing, home improvements and her children's educational expenses.

Wilkinson resigned from the VA in April 2006. She has paid $40,230 towards restitution, and Judge Bury has ordered her to pay the remaining $325,585 upon her release from prison.

Read more: http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5911&Itemid=1

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That's one state down, now the other 49 states need to start taking a good look at the employee theft by credit card use in their VA departments.