Steve Friday, a veteran and official with the U.S. Veterans Affairs, criticizes the government’s “poverty draft,” stating, “We continue to go into communities where people are oppressed. That’s who they put in the military.” #Military #VeteransAffairs

Steve Friday’s remarks highlight the longstanding issue of socioeconomic disparities in military recruitment. By focusing on “communities where peo... https://instagr.am/p/DXwxPGqhGgz/

undefined | Former VA employee charged with fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 benefits by Darin Zullo

A former Veterans Affairs employee, 38‑year‑old Jesus Abreu of Brockton, was indicted Thursday on three counts of wire fraud for allegedly obtaining COVID‑19 relief funds through false statements. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said Abreu worked as a food‑service worker for the VA from November 2021 to March 2022 and, in July 2020, applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) claiming inflated gross revenues, which resulted in a $32,400 award. In April 2021 he submitted two separate Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications, again misrepresenting income from his sole‑proprietorship.

According to prosecutors, Abreu attached fabricated tax documents to support these fraudulent claims. The PPP applications were approved, and he received a total of $41,666, which authorities allege he used for personal expenses rather than eligible business costs. Later, in September 2021, Abreu filed loan‑forgiveness paperwork claiming the entire $41,666 had been spent on payroll, a false assertion that led to the forgiveness of the loans.

If convicted, Abreu faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. The case underscores the heightened scrutiny of COVID‑19 relief programs and the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting fraud that diverts emergency assistance from legitimate recipients.

Read more: https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2026/04/12/former-va-employee-charged-with-fraudulently-obtaining-covid-19-benefits/

#VeteransAffairs

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to launch an automated fraud-detection tool to scan more than a million disability benefits questionnaires for evidence of fabrication or other problems that could force a new medical exam and impact compensation, according to a VA official.

#Veterans #VeteransAffairs #ProtectOurVeterans
https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2026-03-09/va-fraud-detection-veterans-claims-21007490.html

The VA Wants to Use AI to Scrutinize Veteran Benefits. What Could Go Wrong?

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/veterans-affairs-ai-benefits-1235530536/

Former Air Force secretary endorses decorated trans retired colonel running for Congress in Virginia

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/bree-fram-congressional-endorsements-virginia

https://ift.tt/fQgB3jo

Promised care for veterans gives way to cuts in thousands of medical positions at the VA.

#Trump #Veterans #VeteransAffairs #VAHealthcare

Source: https://ift.tt/jAkIS7Z

Uploaded by Tech Plz

March 5, 2026 at 05:15PM

Trump’s VA Found a New Way to Cut Disability Compensation for Vets

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/trump-va-changes-disability-ratings-rule-veterans-1235519325/

“More than 250 #Australian soldiers are buried at the Gaza War Cemetery, administered by the #Commonwealth, most of them #LightHorsemen who served in the first world war. The majority of graves in the cemetery are #British, but the worst damage has been sustained to a corner of the cemetery that houses the graves of Australians who died during the second world war.

The #Tuffah area of Gaza City, in which the cemetery sits, has been shelled throughout the current conflict. But more systematic and extensive damage caused by military earthmoving has occurred within the last year to the southern corner of the #cemetery.

…

A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of #VeteransAffairs told the Guardian there had been “significant damage” to the #Gaza #WarCemetery “and this includes the graves of Australians”.

“The Office of #AustralianWarGraves is very concerned by the damage to the cemetery and Australian war graves. We remain committed to ensuring the restoration of all affected graves as soon as feasible.”

<https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/05/gaza-war-cemetery-damage-australia-first-and-second-world-war-soldiers-graves>