This was part of a scheme to receive hundreds of thousands in veterans benefits and charitable donations.
According to the Rhode Island U.S. attorney Zachary Cunha, Sarah Jane Cavanaugh (31 years old) is being charged with wire fraud, using fake or forged military discharge certificates, wire fraud and fraudulently presenting herself as a medal recipient in order to receive money, property or any other tangible benefit.
Cunha stated that there is no evidence Cavanaugh has ever served in the U.S. Military.
Cavanaugh was seen in U.S. District Court, Providence and was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. Her attorney did not respond to an email asking for comment. Marin and Barrett, Inc. told a reporter that they were busy Monday with client issues that require undivided attention.
Cavanaugh was employed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence. According to court records, Cavanaugh worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Providence.
Cunha stated that Cavanaugh did this to ask for financial assistance. She falsely claimed she was being treated with lung cancer after her exposure to bomb blasts and burn pits in war zones.
Cavanaugh posed as a combat vet and received $207,000 from Wounded Warrior to pay for groceries, physical therapy and mortgage payments. Cunha also said that she received $4,700 in financial assistance from Code of Support in Virginia to help with other bills and repairs to her furnace.
According to court documents, Cavanaugh claimed to have been a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He also received $16,000 from CreatiVets (another charity that provides therapy for veterans through arts programs), according to court documents.
After HunterSeven, a Providence non-profit, contacted Providence VA about Cavanaugh’s appeal to her, an investigation was initiated. This organization aids veterans suffering from cancer.
Chelsey Simoni, Executive Director, stated Monday that they had given a $3,000 check in January to Cavanaugh but cancelled it after realizing she was lying about service. This is partly because another Marine informed them she would have known about Cavanaugh’s service if they served together. Cavanaugh did indeed earn a Purple Heart for valor and a Bronze Star for valor.
Simoni stated that Cavanaugh took time that she could have used to help cancer patients and veterans.
“I was in pain for them. She said that I listened to everything a nurse should say. She not only abuses that, but she also takes my compassion and lies. We could have offered our services elsewhere. This is what worries me.”