Odessa Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing VA Funds For Years After His Mother’s Death

ODESSA, Fla. – Anthony J. Salomone, 64, Odessa, has pleaded guilty to taking Veterans Affairs funds following the death of his mother.

Salomone faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2024.

According to court documents, Salomone’s mother received Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits as the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

Read: Riverview Woman Gets 18 Months For Embezzling $400,000 From Senior Citizens

The benefits were directly deposited into the mother’s checking account, to which Salomone had access via a power of attorney. Salomone’s mother died on October 2, 2017.

Salomone did not report his mother’s death to the VA, which continued to deposit monthly benefits for her until March 2022, thinking she was still alive. Salomone took those benefits, to which he was not entitled, and spent them on his own personal and business expenses. In total, he stole $63,359.92 in funds belonging to the United States.

The Department of Veterans Affairs—Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office investigated this case. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Del Mastro and Suzanne Huyler are prosecuting it.

Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here .

Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter . Sign up for our free newsletter .

Odessa Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing VA Funds For Years After His Mother’s Death