Small Punishments for Scammers

What always stands out, at least to me, are the low penalties for the criminals who steal from veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The number of scams seems to grow, and one wonders if it’s because thieves don’t perceive there to be much punishment if they should be caught.

An example: A veteran threatened to blow up a VA medical facility. He verbally told the crisis line and even identified the person he specifically wanted to kill and when. He was found and arrested for making threats and even made additional threats after the arrest. Now, he hasn’t gone to court yet, but the evidence is pretty strong. Why, one wonders, would he only be in line for five short years in the slammer? Yes, there could be a hefty fine, but it’s the time behind bars that would keep society safe.

Another example: There was the VA employee who stole prescription drugs that were mailed to VA patients. He knew where they were going, of course, since the drugs were shipped from the VA pharmacy and he therefore had the addresses. He and his pals would break into the mailboxes to steal the drugs, which he would then sell for big profits. I think about cancer patients when I learn of something like this, cancer patients who need their drugs on time, not to mention the likely pain medications. The main thief in this scam only received a sentence of 42 months in prison; his scammer pals got sentences of 12 and 35 months. Not long enough, not nearly long enough.

Then there was the guy who convinced everyone that he was blind and therefore 100% disabled and needed some benefits. Turned out he had both a drivers license and a gun carry permit and could see well enough for those activities. Not so blind after all, but his punishment was a few years of probation and some cash restitution.

So where is the deterrence to thieves and scammers when the punishment is so light?

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.