When you look at the bogus charges against former President Trump, have faith in knowing the government isn’t concerned with actual fraud. You can steal $100 million from the United States Army as an employee and still be eligible for retirement benefits.
Such is the case of Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who defrauded the US Army out of $100 million. The New York Post reports that despite the scheme, Mello will be allowed to retire with full benefits, including health insurance. It’s because she “earned” it, don’t you know.
Mellow is under criminal investigation for the scheme, where she purchased over 30 homes, luxury automobiles, and jewelry over the seven-year scam. Military officials claim they cannot withhold the benefits since they’re protected under some obscure federal law.
“The command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello’s retirement,” an Army spokesperson told the San Antonio Express-News.
“In accordance with 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, an individual may be denied an annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual if the individual is convicted of treason, rebellion or insurrection, or similar offenses. There is no similar statutory authority for denying retired pay based on a conviction of other offenses.”
According to Mello’s attorney, Albert Flores, Mello “earned” her retirement benefits.”
“She earned it. I don’t see how one thing is related to the other,” he said, addressing the ongoing investigation. He claims the case should be settled quickly since his client has been “very cooperative” in turning over assets she bilked out of the Army.
He said Mello would likely liquidate some of her luxury possessions to reimburse the Army.
Mello was a civilian financial program manager at Joint Base San-Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, earning $130,000 annually. In 2016, she created a bogus business front called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which she used to take funds from the Army and direct them into her bank account.
Unfortunately for Mello, she included the business on her personal tax returns in 2017, which drew the attention of the Internal Revenue Service.
The Federal Employee Retirement Service covers Mello’s retirement and includes a basic benefit plan, Social Security, and a savings plan, the Post reported.
Last December, the Department of Justice issued a press release in which they said Mello “allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork that indicated an entity she controlled was entitled to receive funds from the Army.”
In selling the program, Mello claimed it “provided services to military members and their families through the 4-H program, but instead just funded a lavish lifestyle for herself,” the Post reported.
With her windfall, Mello purchased 31 properties in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington while also splurging on at least 80 vehicles.
Federal authorities seized $18 million cash from six different accounts Mello owned. She was arrested in December and charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Mello was released without bail. The trial is currently on hold in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas awaiting a decision on a plea deal. Otherwise, Jury selection is scheduled to start on Feb. 12. If convicted, Mello is looking at 142 years in prison.
But hey, at least she’ll have her taxpayer-funded retirement benefits.
Comments
2024-01-30T18:23-0500 | Comment by: Nelson
Tell me that ain't screwed up ,she can ROB money from the army and get away with it , I Want her job next
2024-01-30T18:23-0500 | Comment by: Nelson
Tell me that ain't screwed up ,she can ROB money from the army and get away with it , I Want her job next
2024-01-30T18:23-0500 | Comment by: Nelson
Tell me that ain't screwed up ,she can ROB money from the army and get away with it , I Want her job next
2024-01-30T18:23-0500 | Comment by: Nelson
Tell me that ain't screwed up ,she can ROB money from the army and get away with it , I Want her job next
2024-01-30T18:23-0500 | Comment by: Nelson
Tell me that ain't screwed up ,she can ROB money from the army and get away with it , I Want her job next
2024-01-31T06:09-0500 | Comment by: Jim
$5 says she's a Marxist Demonrat.
2024-01-31T06:09-0500 | Comment by: Jim
$5 says she's a Marxist Demonrat.
2024-01-31T06:10-0500 | Comment by: Jim
$5 says she's a Marxist Demonrat.
2024-01-31T07:46-0500 | Comment by: Richard
Now that the "obscure law" has been recognized, will our lofty Representatives bring that to the lofty Senators who will make changes without loopholes and make the law less obscure? I doubt that will happen, because that part of the law also protects them as Federal Employees! If they don't, vote for Trump. He loves America and wants to do right for it's citizens and he doesn't need the money. Remember, he donated his salary!! If they do fix the loophole, you can vote democrat if you don't mind the atrocious cost of living Joe Biden created. Floridians won't forgive you for making us pay over $2,000 dollars for your car insurance and 4 times that to insure your house. Go Trump!
2024-01-31T07:46-0500 | Comment by: Richard
Now that the "obscure law" has been recognized, will our lofty Representatives bring that to the lofty Senators who will make changes without loopholes and make the law less obscure? I doubt that will happen, because that part of the law also protects them as Federal Employees! If they don't, vote for Trump. He loves America and wants to do right for it's citizens and he doesn't need the money. Remember, he donated his salary!! If they do fix the loophole, you can vote democrat if you don't mind the atrocious cost of living Joe Biden created. Floridians won't forgive you for making us pay over $2,000 dollars for your car insurance and 4 times that to insure your house. Go Trump!
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2024-02-01T22:21-0500 | Comment by: TWSfSopc
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