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Three Charged with Stealing From Veterans at VA Hospital

Two former Bedford VA hospital workers are facing charges that they preyed on disabled combat vets, stealing their identities, writing checks in their names and fraudulently securing credit cards.

U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan announced yesterday that the two former VA workers and one of the workers’ mothers had been indicted on charges of conspiracy, identity fraud, and access device fraud.

Wilfredo Hernandez, 41, Gladys Hernandez, 60, and Jessica Rivera, 27, all of Lowell, were charged yesterday in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud, access device fraud and wire fraud, one count of identity fraud and two counts of access device fraud.

Prosecutors allege that Wilfredo Hernandez and Rivera, former employees of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Bedford, stole checks, credit card numbers and bank account numbers from several disabled, combat veterans who lived at the hospital.

Wilfredo Hernandez and Rivera shared the information with Wilfredo Hernandez’ mother, Gladys Hernandez, and together the trio blew through more than $1,000 by using the accounts and identities of at least four vets, prosecutors allege.

If convicted, the suspects each face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Deb Outing, a spokeswoman for the Bedford VA, said the hospital police department cooperated with the investigation.

“Our patients that have been affected by this are going to be given the highest quality of attention and security available,” Outing said.

(c) YellowBrix 2008

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