Question about VA benefits theft

[XNine]

To preface this, I'm not here to start any drama, I just want some insight. I know someone who for years has claimed he is married, but had separated before applying for his benefits and the divorce was finalized before his first payment. He's a pretty slimy individual, and it kinda pisses me off that he's getting money for his ex that he doesn't deserve.

As I'm not a veteran, I'm looking to those who are for their insight. Are you okay with this? Is this something that should be reported? This does effect several members of my family should the government figure it out and they go after him, so I'm just wondering what the hell to do. Report it? Ignore it?

[Chuck E Ducky]

I would not get involved. (Not my circus, not my monkeys)

[martix_agent]

I would not get involved. (Not my circus, not my monkeys)

This is fraud, and using your tax money to do it. It is absolutely your circus and monkeys.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Sure is, but it’s all relative. I also can’t respond to that without getting into politics especially with the current state of them. So I won’t but I think you get my point. I believe in natural consequences, and letting things play out that do not involve me.

If it bothered me enough I would call him out on it. Maybe explain to him what can happen if he continues to make pore decisions. But after that it’s on him. Im not that guy and I sure as hell aren’t a snitch (within reason is it a treat to my family’s safety) if the answer is No, well I’m not getting involved. If I can’t deal with the consequences of calling someone out for there pore choices face to face ( not on the internet ) well is not my concern because obviously it’s not that important to me.

I would definitely keep this person at a distance from people I care about because desperate opportunistic type people who are constantly looking for the easy way out are just shitty humans. Possibly he’s going through some shit and if this is a friend I would try talk to him be there for him. It would really depend on how much skin in the game I have and how well I truly know this person. But I sure as hell “Ain’t no Brown Shirt”.

When you do shitty things, and make bad decisions after bad decisions. The natural consequences always come back around. That’s why doing the right thing is never wrong.

This will bite him one way or the other, or maybe he will get away with it. Maybe it already has, if he is not trustworthy person well it’s hard to keep a relationship going. After all they are built on trust. He will likely get caught come tax time when she files separately and have to pay restitution.

Only government is allowed to steal from government funded by the salves to the system. They don’t like competition.

But again that’s me, my personal opinion, how I would handle the situation. I error on the side of caution.

[XNine]

This is fraud, and using your tax money to do it. It is absolutely your circus and monkeys.

That's partly my thing, but he's also taking money away from Vets who really do need the money and care. He gets his for sleep apnea that he developed a few years after being out of the national guard. And believe me, he didn't serve, he "served" instead of going to jail. So all in all, he's just a shitty human being. Not a friend, but because he's my lady's ex, if the government comes knocking at my door because he put her name on his paperwork, it's gonna put us in a box we don't need to be in. She doesn't get a dime of his disability. Never has. And it just has me worried for her.

[XNine]

Sure is, but it’s all relative. I also can’t respond to that without getting into politics especially with the current state of them. So I won’t but I think you get my point. I believe in natural consequences, and letting things play out that do not involve me.

If it bothered me enough I would call him out on it. Maybe explain to him what can happen if he continues to make pore decisions. But after that it’s on him. Im not that guy and I sure as hell aren’t a snitch (within reason is it a treat to my family’s safety) if the answer is No, well I’m not getting involved. If I can’t deal with the consequences of calling someone out for there pore choices face to face ( not on the internet ) well is not my concern because obviously it’s not that important to me.

I would definitely keep this person at a distance from people I care about because desperate opportunistic type people who are constantly looking for the easy way out are just shitty humans. Possibly he’s going through some shit and if this is a friend I would try talk to him be there for him. It would really depend on how much skin in the game I have and how well I truly know this person. But I sure as hell “Ain’t no Brown Shirt”.

When you do shitty things, and make bad decisions after bad decisions. The natural consequences always come back around. That’s why doing the right thing is never wrong.

This will bite him one way or the other, or maybe he will get away with it. Maybe it already has, if he is not trustworthy person well it’s hard to keep a relationship going. After all they are built on trust. He will likely get caught come tax time when she files separately and have to pay restitution.

Only government is allowed to steal from government funded by the salves to the system. They don’t like competition.

But again that’s me, my personal opinion, how I would handle the situation. I error on the side of caution.

I appreciate your stance. You can always PM me since you don't want to discuss politics in the open forum (which I get, it's part of the rules here).

I can also go in more detail. Or not, I'm not your boss, lol.

[Axel]

I'm generally aligned with Chucky in thinking that you're better off not inserting yourself into someone else's drama.

I don't think it's too controversial to say that government will always come with waste, inefficiency, and a little downright fraud, but I get the sense that your motivation for wanting to report this guy is less about righting societal wrongs and more about sticking it to him for personal reasons, in which case I think you're better off minding your own business.

Randomly, a few years ago, my employer decided to check and make sure that nobody was keeping any former spouses on the company health plan, and I had to produce documentation. If I were this dude I'd be terrified that someone would put 2 and 2 together. Heck, if you know, I'm guessing he brags about it and will probably stick his foot into his own mouth in front of the wrong person eventually.

Having said that, I'm troubled by the last little line about it affecting members of your family, and so maybe you ought to seek out real advice from an informed attorney, many of whom will offer initial consultations free of charge.

[XNine]

I'm generally aligned with Chucky in thinking that you're better off not inserting yourself into someone else's drama.

I don't think it's too controversial to say that government will always come with waste, inefficiency, and a little downright fraud, but I get the sense that your motivation for wanting to report this guy is less about righting societal wrongs and more about sticking it to him for personal reasons, in which case I think you're better off minding your own business.

Randomly, a few years ago, my employer decided to check and make sure that nobody was keeping any former spouses on the company health plan, and I had to produce documentation. If I were this dude I'd be terrified that someone would put 2 and 2 together. Heck, if you know, I'm guessing he brags about it and will probably stick his foot into his own mouth in front of the wrong person eventually.

Having said that, I'm troubled by the last little line about it affecting members of your family, and so maybe you ought to seek out real advice from an informed attorney, many of whom will offer initial consultations free of charge.

While sticking it to him wouldn't hurt my feelings, the main reason is I don't need the government dragging us into some kind of audit because this idiot claimed my girlfriend. We're busy enough with work, she also has a government job and she volunteers for at risk kids. I guess you can see my dilemma. If she loses her job because of him, then we're kinda screwed.

But, I think I will take you're advice and seek legal council. I appreciate the input and the thoughtful response.

[Axel]

Ah, yes, if the ex-wife is your current girlfriend, she would be wise to address it with an expert before it causes her problems

[martix_agent]

Would your girlfriend have known she is being claimed unless he opened his mouth about it? Is anyone notified they’re being claimed on taxes, either? I’ve always wondered about this.

I do understand that if she has known about this for a while and hasn’t said anything that it could go bad for her as well and I’m no legal council, but it seems, she could easily “turn him in” unless she has been officially notified about him claiming her still. Wouldn’t there be divorce papers that can be shown as proof?

this sort of crap happening infuriates the part of me that wants everyone to just act how they’re supposed to.

[XNine]

Would your girlfriend have known she is being claimed unless he opened his mouth about it? Is anyone notified they’re being claimed on taxes, either? I’ve always wondered about this.

I do understand that if she has known about this for a while and hasn’t said anything that it could go bad for her as well and I’m no legal council, but it seems, she could easily “turn him in” unless she has been officially notified about him claiming her still. Wouldn’t there be divorce papers that can be shown as proof?

this sort of crap happening infuriates the part of me that wants everyone to just act how they’re supposed to.

Because he wasn't approved for the benefits until literally days after the divorce was finalized, he didn't even put that as income on the documents. He didn't put a side business as income either. Hell, he got in fights with her because she put down how much stuff he had, telling her "they don't need to know all of this." So he proceeded to put in his documents less than she did. It's a mess that I don't want coming to bite us, because we fully intend on getting married in the not so distant future.

[the_matrix_guy]

Because he wasn't approved for the benefits until literally days after the divorce was finalized, he didn't even put that as income on the documents. He didn't put a side business as income either. Hell, he got in fights with her because she put down how much stuff he had, telling her "they don't need to know all of this." So he proceeded to put in his documents less than she did. It's a mess that I don't want coming to bite us, because we fully intend on getting married in the not so distant future.

Unfortunately though, when you shed a light onto his stuff, you will shed a light unto your future wife's. That is how the VA/SSA/IRS fraud investigations work. Once there's a criminal referral, they will flag all connected accounts and individuals, and investigate and audit both parties -- and believe me -- they have no qualms about going after your GF for underpaying/misrepresenting or receiving undue benefits, or credits /deductions. It's not like they will say, ''this great guy, he is so honest, look he was being so straight with us, his wife is exempt from an investigation'' they dont ****** care. They go after every dollar.

And then we actually get into the validity of your report. If it’s accurate, then after investigation the “disabled” person might lose compensation and be reported to law enforcement. If your report is found without merit, you might be subject to penalties and slander/liable suits.

My advice is that in case of an audit, you just say you had no idea, becasue the other guy is the one filing the shenanigan and misrepresentation, not your wife. So you have plausible deniability. keyword * in case * of an audit which is likely never to happen. The other avenue is to try to be amicable with the dude, and let him know you need him to stop claiming your GF. Because you intend to get married and you dont want any legal trouble for him or you. That is the best strategy, make him see reason that he could get flagged if your GF re-marries and he keeps claiming her.

[the_matrix_guy]

And in the current environment, the IRS, SSA, and VA are under presidential directives to maximize efficiency and seek waste, fraud, & abuse. So essentially you're giving the government jackals a full plate of food -- and these same jackals will bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak. Your intentions are good but the end result might not be what you expect. They will also question your GF and ask, "well how long have you known this? And why didn't you come to us sooner?" In case law, it is all about the state of mind and intention, and this here -- is where an attorney will advice you to "be careful, dont say anything" becasue you can just as easily involve your GF in criminal activity.

There is also the possibility that you get sued for slander if this guy is greasy like that. Or the government itself can fine you. Many people make questionable reports for personal reasons everyday, and those people can get fined for wasting government resources (in investigating false reports.) Similar to making a false police report. It's actually a crime. So like everyone else said, be wise and careful.

Edit: It's worth noting, that with the "Big Beautiful Bill," millions of Americans including disabled veterans will lose health ( & SNAP) benefits. So this might all "resolve" itself on its own. Just saying.

[martix_agent]

And in the current environment, the IRS, SSA, and VA are under presidential directives to maximize efficiency and seek waste, fraud, & abuse. So essentially you're giving the government jackals a full plate of food -- and these same jackals will bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak. Your intentions are good but the end result might not be what you expect. They will also question your GF and ask, "well how long have you known this? And why didn't you come to us sooner?" In case law, it is all about the state of mind and intention, and this here -- is where an attorney will advice you to "be careful, dont say anything" becasue you can just as easily involve your GF in criminal activity.

This is what I was asking about. If the guy never told anyone, how would anyone know(other than the auditors/organization) that She was being claimed by Him?

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s a lil closer to home than I expected from your first post. She should tell him to change it now before he gets caught. Maybe leverage turning him in, to making the change. She could be held liable. I would have her consult a lawyer. I don’t know what your situation is with him. I’m guessing not good given the situation. But She needs to address the situation because she is directly involved with it. If you get involved it will likely turn bad.