New Smyrna Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Stolen Veteran Disability Compensation

Orlando, Florida - Jerry Smith (73, New Smyrna Beach) has pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen government money. Smith faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the plea agreement, Smith falsely represented to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") that he was legally blind and that his vision conditions prevented him from driving, working, and performing various daily functions. As a result, Smith received $244,953.70 in VA disability compensation and benefits between 2017 and 2021. In reality, Smith's vision was significantly better than what he had represented during eye examinations and in his statements to the VA, as he could drive, read, navigate around people and obstacles in stores, conduct transactions at cash registers and drive-through ATMs, and worked as a firearms specialist and school guardian.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane S. Hu.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.