KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – A Kansas veteran planned to trick the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs into getting disability benefits and was later charged by a federal grand jury.
According to the US Department of Justice, Bruce Hay, 53, was found guilty of six counts of electrical fraud and 10 counts of theft of government funds. Hay is a US Army Veteran, from Greeley, and a former resident of Osawatomie.
According to court documents and evidence, Hay misrepresented and exaggerated the extent of the diagnosis of conversion disorder on purpose. He did so to try to get VA disability benefits he was not entitled to.
Due to misrepresentations, Hay fraudulently received over $450,000 in VA benefits.
Specifically, the DOJ says that Hay claims to have constant jerky movements, tremors, and headaches. He claims he can only walk with a walker and cannot participate in basic activities of daily living (eg, bathing, going to the toilet, dressing, eating).
During the VA examination, he faked and exaggerated his physical symptoms. He limped and had significant muscle spasms, as well as jerky movements and bobbing his head. Immediately before and after the test, he will use a walker that he would not normally use outside of VA facilities.
Thus, based on how he presented himself, VA found Hay to be completely disabled.
However, it was discovered that Hay’s claims of limited mobility were false thanks to surveillance, video footage, photographs, testimony from community members, and other evidence. other evidence.
The DOJ says Hay transported more than 1 million pounds of scrap metal, threw bales of hay in the backs of moving trucks, engaged in residential construction, hunted deer, and regularly drove without assistance. aid.
Hay will be sentenced in October. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Copyright 2022 KCTV. Copyright Registered.
