FORT MYERS, Fla. – Laurie Ann Roszelle, 65, of Fort Myers, is facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for nearly two decades following her mother’s death in 2005.
Roszelle is accused of forging her mother’s signature and falsely claiming her mother was alive in order to continue receiving VA benefits.
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If convicted, Roszelle could face up to 20 years in prison and the U.S. government is seeking to recover $338,364.66, the amount believed to have been fraudulently obtained.
The case was investigated by the VA Office of Inspector General and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter.
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