Pittsburgh Man Sentenced for Stealing from Disabled Veterans & Pandemic Fraud

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By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published March 20th, 2024

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Corey Mizell, a 51-year-old resident of Pittsburgh, has been sentenced to a six-month prison term followed by two years of supervised release for his involvement in embezzling funds from disabled veterans' accounts and for executing a mail fraud scheme related to pandemic unemployment assistance, as announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.

The sentence was handed down by United States Senior District Judge Nora Barry Fischer, who also mandated that Mizell spend the first six months of his supervised release under house arrest with an electronic location monitor and pay over $57,000 in restitution to the veterans and the government he defrauded.

Mizell's criminal activities came to light following a report from the sister of a deceased veteran, who questioned the withdrawals made from her brother’s VA patient account. The veteran, significantly disabled and restricted due to COVID-19, was not in a position to make those transactions. The ensuing investigation by the VA Police and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) led to Mizell, who was then an agent cashier at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The investigation uncovered that Mizell exploited his position to withdraw money from the accounts of veterans who were either quarantined due to COVID-19 or severely disabled. Mizell confessed to fraudulently taking approximately $17,660 from the accounts of three veterans, a sum that supported personal expenditures, including home remodeling.

Further inquiries by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General revealed Mizell's fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. Despite being employed full time by the VA, Mizell falsely declared unemployment due to the pandemic, enabling him to unlawfully receive $38,400 in benefits.

In her remarks, Judge Fischer emphasized the gravity of Mizell’s actions, highlighting the betrayal of trust towards fellow veterans, including those so incapacitated they were unable to physically approach his cashier window for transactions. Mizell’s request for a sentence without incarceration was denied, reflecting the court's stance on the seriousness of his offenses.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna, underscores the collaborative efforts of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. United States Attorney Olshan recognized the investigative teams for their diligence and coordination in bringing Mizell to justice, marking a significant step in addressing fraud against veterans and the misuse of pandemic relief funds.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

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