A couple in the United States defrauded the government of nearly $500,000 (about Rs 4.2 crore) for taking dozens of luxury vacations to Walt Disney World while claiming they were traveling for work. according to New York PostThomas Bouchard, 61, an Army contractor, used his government connections to hire his girlfriend, 53-year-old Kentelle Boyd, as his assistant so he could take multiple vacations. , which includes 31 trips to Walt Disney World in Florida. Prosecutors said their elaborate scheme cost the Defense Department more than $490,000.
Citing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts Post It was reported that the couple claimed that they were traveling for work. Mr. Bouchard, who was in charge of the U.S. Army Natick contracting division in Massachusetts, allegedly used his “long-standing relationship” with the government contractor Evolution Enterprise Inc. to hire Ms. Boyd as an assistant for his support. He was paid a government salary of $487,658 and performed “little if any useful work” from 2014 to 2018, costing the government an additional $75,583 in travel expenses. .
The couple reportedly booked vacations ranging from two to 15 days, and their trips – which were taken during business hours – included hotel stays, lounging by the pool and visiting Disney parks. Additionally, the couple also traveled to other places in Virginia and Florida. Prosecutors said the 61-year-old concealed the nature of his trips and sought reimbursement by falsifying and then approving expense records.
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Federal authorities arrested the couple in July 2020. They each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of government funds and false declarations. The 61-year-old man was sentenced to a year and a day in prison in August and must pay $487,658 in restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said, “Those of us who have the privilege of working in public service have a duty to the taxpayers to act with integrity at all times.”
“This defendant clearly failed to abide by this solemn oath and abused his position of trust to line his own pockets, appointed a friend to a phantom position and enjoyed munching on the taxpayer’s dime. He He will now pay the price for his unforgivable conduct, he added.
Meanwhile, Ms Boyd was sentenced to six months of home confinement on 2 October. Prosecutors said he would have to pay compensation “at a later date.”