Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Sergio Guaderrama, 44, Madison, Wis., was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Guaderrama pleaded guilty to this charge on September 2, 2011.

Guaderrama, a Navy veteran, was collecting VA disability benefits and he received medical care at VA Medical Centers. While living in Madison, Guaderrama would attend appointments at the VA Medical Center in Madison, yet claim that he had traveled from Chicago. Guaderrama would then submit false mileage reimbursement forms. He submitted a total of 54 fraudulent claims for travel reimbursement.

In 2008, Guaderrama also submitted a falsified marriage certificate to the VA so that his girlfriend and her children would also receive VA medical care. In total, Guaderrama submitted 34 fraudulent medical claims. Guaderrama also fraudulently received disability benefits for his girlfriend and her children.

Guaderrama was ordered to pay $20, 366.97 in restitution to the VA.

The charges against Guaderrama were the result of an investigation conducted by the Chicago office of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

 

 

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