Buffalo Man Sentenced For Theft Of Government Money

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Dwayne Brice, 37, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of theft of government money, was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service at Veterans Affairs, and ordered to pay full restitution by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who handled the case, stated that the Department of Veterans Affairs appointed Brice as a fiduciary for his elderly father-in-law who received veteran’s benefits for his service in the United States Marine Corps.  As fiduciary, it was Brice’s duty to manage these funds and pay for his father-in-law’s living expenses. Between August 2013 and September 2015, the defendant stole approximately $38,904 in veteran’s benefits, gambling much of the money at local casinos.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Donna L. Neves.