Omahan will pay more than $170,000 for concealing income while on disability

A 62-year-old Omaha man has been ordered to pay more than $170,000 in restitution after being found guilty of embezzling government funds.

Michael A. Basile was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court by Judge Robert F. Rossiter, who ordered him to make restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs in the amount of $62,255.56 and to the Railroad Retirement Board in the amount of $108,352.32. Basile was also ordered to serve five years of probation and perform 150 hours of community service.

U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly said Basile was receiving disability payments from both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board based on an existing disability. But from June 2014 through September 2017, Basile engaged in contract work and had payment for that work made payable to a family member to conceal his income.

The case was investigated by agents from both the Veteran’s Administration and the Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General.

Read more: https://www.omaha.com/news/courts/omahan-will-pay-more-than-for-concealing-income-while-on/article_e3ffab88-a6f6-5990-bd3b-bde9017da913.html