Veteran's group founder defrauded V.A. of $178,000

A Philadelphia man who claimed to be the founder of the non-profit Veterans Support Group of America, was sentenced to 30 months in prison this week for defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs out of $178,000 in healthcare and pension benefits.

Richard Gordon, 65, pretended to be his brother, "H.G." who had served a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam war. He assumed H.G.'s identity in 2004 because he was a fugitive from justice after being convicted of a felony in New Jersey. Richard Gordon, would have qualified for VA benefits, because had spent one year in the U.S. Marines but had been discharged after claiming a family hardship. But fugitives are prohibited from receiving V.A. benefits, according to court papers.

For 8 years, Richard Gordon used the identity of his brother, who had settled in the Netherlands after his discharge. During a two year period, he racked up $86,500 in healthcare benefits. As pension checks arrived in his brother's name, he allegedly endorsed and cashed them. In Aug. 2008, Richard Gordon requested that his own V.A. benefits be reinstated. No longer considered a fugitive, the V.A. resumed sending him his monthly pension. Now, he collected two checks each month, according to court papers.

During the seven-and-a-half year period, Gordon received $178,607.20 from the government. His brother, living in Europe, never applied for or received a penny.

Gordon pleaded guilty to conversion of government property in July, 2013.

In addition to the federal prison term,  Gordon will be required to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release.