Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Scheme to Defraud Department of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ex-boyfriend of a former
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) social work associate pleaded guilty today
for his role in a scheme to defraud the United States of the associate's
honest services in connection with her work finding suitable housing and daily
care for mentally ill and disabled military veterans, Acting Assistant
Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney
David E. Nahmias of the Northern District of Georgia announced.

Darrick O. Frazier, 33, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge
Richard W. Story in Atlanta to one count of honest services mail fraud. At
sentencing, Frazier faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a
$250,000 fine and $20,200 in restitution. A sentencing date has not been
scheduled. Frazier was indicted on Nov. 14, 2006, along with his
ex-girlfriend, Bridgette L. Davidson, 37, who was employed as a social work
associate with the VA during the time the alleged criminal scheme occurred. A
trial date for Davidson has not been set by the court.

In his guilty plea, Frazier admitted that from approximately November 2001
through March 2002, he and Davidson rented a home in Marietta, Ga., a suburb
of Atlanta, to house mentally ill and disabled military veterans in Davidson's
care in exchange for monthly federal subsidy payments. Frazier admitted that
he and Davidson then falsely represented to VA officials and to the military
veterans' legal guardians and custodians that the home was independently owned
and a certified personal care home suitable to house and care for the
veterans. Frazier also admitted he and Davidson used the rental income
obtained from the veterans housed at the facility to pay some of the rent,
utilities and related expenses on the rental property, and then kept the
excess revenue for their own personal benefit. The facility was shut down in
April 2002.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Armando O. Bonilla of the
Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section, headed by Section Chief William
M. Welch II, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa D. Hoyt of the Northern
District of Georgia. The case is being investigated by the VA Office of
Inspector General.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888