BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A former employee of the Beckley Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been federally indicted after prosecutors say he falsely claimed to be a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and uploaded a fake military discharge document while applying for VA benefits.
A federal grand jury indicted James Edward Davidson II on charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to the indictment, Davidson worked as a medical support assistant at the Beckley VA Medical Center from approximately March 2023 until January 2024. His job primarily involved scheduling medical appointments for patients.
Federal prosecutors allege, however, that Davidson never served in any branch of the United States military, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
The indictment alleges that between approximately April 1 and Aug. 30, 2023, Davidson devised a scheme to defraud the VA and obtain money or property through false representations.
According to prosecutors, Davidson used an internet connection assigned to the VA on June 1, 2023, to log into a federal government computer system through Login.gov. Minutes later, at approximately 3:33 p.m., he allegedly uploaded a fraudulent DD-214, the official document used to show a service member’s release or discharge from active duty, as part of an application for VA benefits.
The allegedly fake document claimed Davidson had served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 2007 to 2012 and had been honorably discharged.
Federal prosecutors say the document contained Davidson’s correct name, Social Security number and date of birth, despite allegedly containing false information about his military service.
The indictment alleges the document was electronically transmitted from Beckley, West Virginia, to VA computer systems in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Davidson is charged under federal laws involving wire fraud and attempted wire fraud.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and Davidson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
