Veteran's Service Worker Sentenced in Theft in Franklin County, OH
Gloria Woodard Sentenced to 60 Days in Theft of Funds for Needy Veterans
A portion of property taxes collected in each of Ohio's 88 counties is earmarked to provide operating expenses for each Veteran's Services Commission office. Those funds also provide emergency financial services to needy veterans, given in the form of vouchers for food, rent and utilities.
The Columbus woman abused her position as Service Officer by falsifying applications in the names of 21 veterans to obtain vouchers which Woodard then converted to prepaid credit cards for her own use. The thefts occurred between September 2008 and July 2009.
Since the money was stolen from funds within the Commission, Woodard was charged with one count of theft in office, a third degree felony charge that carries a maximum punishment of imprisonment for up to five years and $10,000 fine. In addition to 60 days confinement, Woodard will be on probation for three years, will perform 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution.
Further charges of tampering with records were filed against Woodard but not pursued. Schjuan Morris, another Franklin Country Veterans Service Commission employee, was indicted in February with similar charges stemming from a theft of over $2,000.
The veterans were unaware that their names had been used, and no charges were filed for identity theft since the abuse of information remained within the confines of the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission.
Gloria Woodard will begin her 60 day sentence on Tuesday, the day after our nation honors those who died while in service to their country.
Sources:
Franklin County Court Records
The Cleveland Law Library Association
Columbus Dispatch May 27, 2010
Columbus Dispatch Apr 20, 2010
Columbus Dispatch Feb 5, 2010
Ross County Veterans Service Commission
Published by Marie Anne St. Jean - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
A Top 1000 Content Producer for the last three years, Marie Anne is a retired U.S. Marine MSgt whose weapons of choice are now crochet hook and pen. When not writing for Yahoo! sites such as YCN! Voice... View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentHow disgraceful.
Gloria Woodard, a person that I hope will suffer the consequences of her crimes for the rest of her life including the sixty days she begins today. This to me is almost as bad as stealing from the offering plate at church, and that's pretty bad. Thank you for reporting this. A good write.
This is so horrible! Nice reporting, Marie Anne.
DISGRACEFUL! Shameful! Bad enough that it was to Veterans, but it would have qualified anyway. She got off too easy.
Such an awful thing to do, especially to our veterans. Somehow 60 days just doesn't seem like much compared to the crime.
Good Grief. She'll be out before the end of July. That'll teach her, and those of her ilk.
PV love :)
I am glad she was sentenced but I don't think it is long enough. 60 days to a homeless, handicapped, or PTSD Veteran is like a lifetime - but 60 days for this person will go fast and I am sure they will not suffer like the Vet's will from loss of funds.
I've got to agree that she got off too easy. Great reporting, Marie Anne.
These kinds of thieves deserve the stiffest penalties! cheers :)