MONMOUTH COUNTY – A Monmouth County man has admitted to defrauding over $200,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs survivor’s pension benefits over 12 years, officials said.
On July 21, Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, pleaded guilty to information charging him with conversion of government funds.
According to documents, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs was providing survivor’s pension benefits to Greenspan’s mother because of Greenspan’s father’s prior military service. These benefits are given only to surviving spouses of military members, and these funds were transferred into Greenspan’s mother’s bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date.
Despite Greenspan’s mother passing in 2006, he did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about her death and continued to make withdrawals of the survivor’s pension benefits. Between 2006 and 2018, Greenspan withdrew a total of $201,166.
As a result, Greenspan faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The sentencing is scheduled for November 22.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
