ATLANTA - A Danielsville woman and former administrator of an assisted living facility in Conyers was sentenced this week for bilking a veteran out of more than $300,000 in disability benefits.
Denise M. Bailey, 49, was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia.
Bailey, the former administrator of Azalea Gardens, was appointed fiduciary for the victim by the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2010, according to U.S. Attorney John Horn.
Horn said the victim, a Vietnam veteran who had suffered a heart attack, was a resident of Azalea Gardens. Bailey was supposed to use his benefits only for his welfare.
A year later, prosecutors said the victim was awarded over $313,453 by the VA. Bailey drained the account within four days, and transferred most of the money to herself or accounts she controlled. She used a portion of the money to pay off credit card bills, according to prosecutors.
During a subsequent VA investigation, authorities said Bailey submitted false bills to try and justify the payments from the account.
"We will continue to vigorously investigate those whose actions corrupt the integrity of VA fiduciary programs intended to care for our nation’s venerable veterans," Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General said.
Bailey pleaded guilty this summer to misappropriating veterans funds while acting as a fiduciary. Court officials have not yet made a decision about the amount of restitution owed to the victim's family.
"This disabled veteran was entitled to every penny of his disability award after honorably serving our country, and needed the money to live comfortably in assisted living – yet Bailey spent the money for her own personal expenses," Horn said.
United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. sentenced Bailey on Monday.
