Ogden, UT — A Washington City woman has been sentenced to 36 months of probation after being convicted of stealing veteran disability benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. Tiffany Ann Bright, 39, was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution for her role in the scheme, which lasted nearly a decade.
Bright pleaded guilty to wire fraud and theft of government funds in October 2024. Authorities say she unlawfully diverted disability benefits from a former partner, a veteran, between December 2013 and April 2022. During that time, she took advantage of her knowledge of the veteran’s benefits account to change critical banking information and unlawfully direct funds to her own accounts.
In the summer of 2013, Bright assisted the veteran in setting up an online account to begin receiving disability benefits. However, she later changed the direct deposit information, rerouting the funds into bank accounts solely controlled by her, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Furthermore, Bright submitted fraudulent documents to increase the veteran’s benefits payments, including lying about her marital status.
The payments were sent from New Jersey to her Utah bank account via interstate wire. It was only in 2022, after a notification from the Department of Veterans Affairs, that the veteran learned changes had been made to his account. The veteran, who had assumed the benefits were being used to pay off his education debt, was unaware of the fraud.
Investigators from the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Washington City Police Department, worked together to uncover the illegal activity. The case highlights the vulnerability of veterans and the impact of fraudulent schemes on those relying on benefits intended to support them.
While Bright’s sentence holds her accountable for her actions, the restitution order aims to help the veteran recover some of the stolen funds. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding government benefits and ensuring that they are used for their intended purpose.