VA OIG: Man who founded Veteran organization and scammed VA out of $20 million sentenced to 4 years in prison

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FILE - The US Department of Veterans Affairs building is seen in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2019.  (ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office says an Ohio man has been sentenced to four years in prison for scamming the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) out of approximately $20 million in fraudulent benefits.

The backstory:

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley says Richard Rompala, 65, founded Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) as a charitable organization to assist veterans.  

O’Malley said SVAS reached out to veterans and told them about their free service, and let them know they are eligible for VA benefits, which they were not.

Prosecutors said SVAS falsified documentation to make the veterans eligible, and sent the falsified documents to the VA who in turn provided SVAS with financial benefits. SVAS, through a separate entity, would either demand direct payment or a large percentage of the benefits before releasing the remainder to the veterans. 

What they're saying:

"Rompala’s scheme preyed on veterans who were simply seeking help. Today’s sentence delivers justice and sends a clear message that fraud targeting veterans will not be tolerated," said O’Malley

"This sentence reflects the VA OIG’s commitment to hold predatory claims companies and their representatives accountable for defrauding a system meant to serve our most vulnerable veterans. The VA OIG thanks the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation," said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the VA OIG Central Field Office. 

What we know:

Rompala was arrested by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Naples, Florida on June 13, 2025, and on January 13, 2026, Rompala pleaded guilty to:

• One count of Attempted Engaging In Pattern Of Corrupt Activity 
• One count of Aggravated Theft
• One count of Money Laundering 
• One count of Incomplete, False, and Fraudulent Returns
• One count of Prohibited Acts and Practices 
• One count of Tampering With Records (F3)

Prosecutors say Rompala was sentenced to a total of four years in prison for exploiting elderly veterans and scamming the VA out of approximately $20 million in fraudulent benefits and SVAS must pay a maximum fine of $20,000.

The Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) pleaded guilty to:

• One count of Engaging In Pattern Of Corrupt Activity (F2)
• One count of Attempted Aggravated Theft (F2)
• Two counts of Prohibited Acts and Practices (F5)
• One count of Prohibited Acts and Practices (M1)

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Commerce.