Federal authorities filed charges against a Temple couple and a Killeen resident for their roles in a scheme to defraud the Department of Veteran Affairs on Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney John Bash and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Special Agent James Ross announced that Temple couple Christopher Sebek, 55, and Melissa Sebek, 55, and Killeen resident Jeffrey Pearson, 55, were in a scheme to defraud the VA of $250,000.
Christopher Sebek and Pearson are both charged by an information with one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of theft of government property.
Melissa Sebek was charged with one count of theft of government property.
According to the court records, beginning in February 2012, Christopher Sebek and Pearson entered into an agreement to steal money from the VAMC. Over a five-year period, they allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices in VAMC for payment purportedly for goods and services designated for VAMC.
The invoices were used by Sebek to pay for personal items and to cover 30 percent of Pearson’s commission on each invoice.
They also allegedly stole two VAMC credit cards and used them to pay for personal expenses.
The defendants face up to five years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years in federal prison on the theft charge.
All three defendants will receive summonses for their initial appearance in federal court in Waco.
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