Accused ‘Con Artist’ Who Stole $100M From Army Retires With Full Benefits
OAN’s James Meyers
2:33 PM – Monday, January 29, 2024
A civil service worker who was accused of defrauding the U.S. Army out of $100 million was granted the right to retire with full benefits.
57-year-old Janet Yamanaka Mello, who is currently under criminal investigation, claims that she earned her retirement package after purportedly using the funds to purchase more than 30 homes, luxurious items, and high-end jewelry during a seven-year scheme.
However, a spokesperson for the U.S. military admitted that they cannot take back the con artist’s benefits as they’re protected under a federal law that was held up in a government bureaucracy.
“The command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello’s retirement,” an Army spokesperson told the San Antonio Express-News.
“In accordance with 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, an individual may be denied an annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual, if the individual is convicted of treason, rebellion or insurrection, or other similar offenses. There is no similar statutory authority for denying retired pay based on a conviction of other offenses.”
The civil service worker allegedly created a cover business in 2016 called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which allowed her to siphon funds that she received from the U.S. Army to herself.
Meanwhile, the 57-year-old was also bringing in $130,000 annually in her job role.
The discovery of the plan began when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) flagged Mello’s phony business when she began including it on her tax returns in 2017.
The Department of Justice issued a press release in December 2023, saying Mello “allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork that indicated an entity she controlled was entitled to receive funds from the Army.”
In response to the claims, Mello said her business was “to provide services to military members and their families through the 4-H program,” but she instead used the funds to create her own lavish lifestyle.
Additionally, Mello purchased 31 properties in several states such as Maryland, Texas, and Washington. She also purchased over 80 luxurious vehicles.
Furthermore, authorities confiscated over $18 million in cash from six different bank accounts connected to the 57-year-old.
Mello was arrested last December and was charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
She pleaded not guilty and is set to return to court in February. If found guilty, Mello will face a maximum prison sentence of 142 years.
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What does the case of Janet Yamanaka Mello reveal about the need for stronger regulations and oversight within government institutions
Title: U.S. Army Civil Service Worker Accused of Defrauding $100 Million Granted Retirement with Full Benefits
Introduction:
In a shocking turn of events, a civil service worker accused of defrauding the U.S. Army of $100 million has been granted the right to retire with full benefits. Janet Yamanaka Mello, a 57-year-old woman currently under criminal investigation, allegedly used the stolen funds to fund a luxurious lifestyle. Despite the allegations against her, Mello retains her retirement package, as it is protected by federal law.
The Allegations and Retirement Package:
Janet Yamanaka Mello, a civil service worker for the U.S. Army, stands accused of defrauding the institution of $100 million over a seven-year period. It is alleged that Mello used the embezzled funds to acquire over 30 homes, luxurious items, and high-end jewelry. Despite facing a criminal investigation, Mello claims that she earned her retirement package using the misappropriated funds.
According to a spokesperson for the U.S. military, they are unable to revoke Mello’s retirement benefits due to federal law and government bureaucracy. Under the 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, an individual may only be denied retirement benefits if convicted of treason, rebellion, insurrection, or similar offenses. As there is no similar statutory authority for denying benefits based on convictions of other offenses, Mello’s retirement remains intact.
The Investigation and Criminal Charges:
The discovery of Mello’s fraudulent activities began when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) flagged her phony business, Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, in 2017. The Department of Justice issued a press release in December 2023, explaining that Mello allegedly stole over $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork indicating that her controlled entity deserved funds from the Army.
Following her arrest in December, Mello has been charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in monetary transactions over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Authorities have also seized over $18 million in cash from six different bank accounts linked to Mello.
Mello’s Lavish Lifestyle:
Contrary to Mello’s claims of providing services to military members and their families through the 4-H program, the investigation has revealed her extravagant purchases and acquisitions. Alongside the 31 properties she owned in various states, including Maryland, Texas, and Washington, Mello also accumulated more than 80 luxurious vehicles. The authorities’ seizure of over $18 million in cash further suggests the extent of her lavish lifestyle.
Conclusion:
The case of Janet Yamanaka Mello highlights the need for stronger regulations and oversight within government institutions to prevent such fraudulent activities. Despite the allegations and ongoing criminal investigation, Mello has been granted the right to retire with full benefits, protected by federal law. The outcome raises questions about the effectiveness of current laws and bureaucratic systems in dealing with cases of embezzlement and fraud.
Moving forward, it is imperative that stricter measures and accountability mechanisms are implemented to safeguard public funds and ensure that individuals perpetrating such crimes are held fully accountable. Failure to do so not only compromises the integrity of public institutions but also undermines the trust and confidence of the citizens they serve.
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