A fraud accused of defrauding the US Army out of $100 million has been given the green light to retire with full benefits.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who is now under criminal investigation, boldly claimed she “earned” her civil servant retirement package despite allegedly using the funds to buy more than 30 houses, luxury cars, and jewelry through the seven-year scheme.
The military admitted that there was nothing it could do to withhold Mello’s benefits from him because they are protected under federal law held in the government bureaucracy.
“The command does not have the authority to effect Ms. Mello’s retirement,” an Army spokesman told the San Antonio Express-News.
“Pursuant to 5 US Code Section 8312, an individual may be denied an annuity or retirement pay based on the individual’s service, if the individual is convicted of treason, rebellion or insurrection, or other similar offense. There is no similar statutory authority to deny retirement pay based on convictions for other offences.”
A fraud accused of defrauding the US Army out of $100 million has been given the green light to retire with full benefits. Federal Court Documents
Albert Flores, Mello’s lawyer, told the outlet that his client “earned” his retirement benefits.
“He earned it. I don’t see how one thing is related to another,” he said about the ongoing criminal investigation.
Flores said that Mello’s case will be resolved quickly, as he was “very cooperative” in handing over the assets.
He said that he would probably sell some of his luxury properties to repay the officials.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who is now under criminal investigation, boldly claimed she “earned” her civil servant retirement package. KSAT
Mello, who works as a public finance program manager at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, made plans in 2016 to create a business titled “Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development” so that he could siphon the funds he received from the Army into himself.
Most recently, he earned $130,000 a year in his role.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) flagged Mello’s business as suspicious when he entered it on his personal tax return in 2017.
However, his retirement plan is covered by the Federal Employees Retirement Service (FERS), which includes basic benefit plans, social security and savings plans.
Mello allegedly used the funds to buy more than 30 houses and luxury cars through the seven-year scheme. Sue Thatcher
In a press release issued in December 2023, the Justice Department said Mello, “allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by repeatedly submitting fraudulent paperwork showing entities he controlled were entitled to receive funds from the Army.”
The alleged fraudster began his scam in 2016 when he created a fake business called “Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD).”
Mello claims his business provides services to military members and their families through the 4-H program but instead only funds a lavish lifestyle for himself.
Albert Flores, Mello’s lawyer, told the outlet that his client “earned” his retirement benefits. KSAT
Mello bought 31 different real estate properties in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.
Along with the large amount of real estate he bought, Mello also splurged and bought at least 80 vehicles.
Authorities also seized more than $18 million in cash from six different accounts connected to Mello.
Mello also allegedly bought luxury jewelry with the cash. cobalt
Mello was arrested in December and charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in financial transactions over $10,000 using the proceeds of crime, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
He was released without bail and the US District Court for the Western District of Texas awaits a January 19 deadline for whether Mello will take a plea deal or face a jury selection and trial on February 12.
If found guilty, Mello faces a maximum sentence of 142 years in prison.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
