VA Supervisor's Home Improvement Projects Done on Taxpayers' Dime

A supervisor at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing from the federal government by using VA supplies, tools and even federal employees to work on projects at her own home.

Venita Godfrey-Scott, 47, of New Haven had the employees under her supervision work on a deck in her back yard, install a carpet and make various improvements to her kitchen, bathroom and basement.

The total cost of theft, as near as law enforcement officials can figure out, was somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000. The thieving occurred from roughly 2010 to 2013.

After pleading guilty in Federal District Court in Hartford to one count of theft of government property, Godfrey-Scott now faces as much as 10 years in a federal facility of a much different sort than the one she worked at.

Here are excerpts of a news release about Godfrey-Scott's case, from the Office of the United States Attorney for Connecticut:

Venita Godfrey-Scott, 47, of New Haven, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of theft of government property, which she used for various home improvement projects.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Godfrey-Scott was employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) at the Medical Center in West Haven as a supervisor in the Facilities Management Service, which is responsible for carpentry, paint, locks, doors, and other minor construction projects at the Medical Center. 

[...]

Godfrey-Scott directed the employees to use materials, supplies, tools, and vehicles belonging to the VA, and also had the employees purchase necessary materials at local stores using her government-issued credit card. 

Some of the projects were performed during regular work hours. [...]

Godfrey-Scott is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on August 4, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Police and the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Northeast Regional Investigations Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.