Rapid City Woman Convicted of Fraudulently Taking VA Payments

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced today that on April 11, 2012, Patricia Maki was convicted by a jury in federal court on charges of Theft of Government Property, Providing Fictitious Name and Address to the United States Postal Service, and Fraudulent Acceptance of VA Payments. Maki, age 69, was indicted in March 2012 after an investigation conducted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Johnson said the charges relate to incidents occurring between May 2004 and May 2010 when Maki took VA payments she knew she was not entitled to in the amount of approximately $59,940. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah B. Collins. A sentencing date has not yet been set.