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Woodstock resident John Deppert, 64, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of theft of government property in relation to his scam to steal tens of thousands of dollars, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced.
Durham said that Deppert’s sister was a recipient of disability compensation benefits from the VA through a direct deposit into her bank account. Following her death in January 2015, Deppert had access to his sister’s bank accounts, which continued to receive regular benefits deposits.
The deception was uncovered in September 2017, when the VA discovered that Deppert’s sister had died and the benefits were terminated. A month later, Deppert called the VA, posing as his sister and explained that “she” was not dead, Durham said. Following that call, the VA resumed sending benefit money to the bank account, including back payments.
In April last year, the VA once again identified that Deppert’s sister had died, and when a VA employee contacted Deppert’s “sister” he again posed as her, answering the call. Deppert provided his sister’s date of birth, social security number and again stated that she was alive and well.
In May last year, Deppert posed as his sister for a third time, leaving a message on a VA employee’s voicemail system requesting that all future contact be continued electronically. He proceeded to send a fax with a change of address form with a cover sheet that stated: “I am alive and living in Woodstock Valley, CT!,” signing it with his sister's name.
Through the scheme, Deppert stole a total of $77,292 before his arrest. Deppert has been rebased on a $50,000 bond pending his sentencing, which has been scheduled for July 24. Deppert will face up to 10 years in prison.
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