VA Employee Pleads Guilty to Seeking Bribes to Process Claims
A Los Angeles County Department of Veterans Affairs employee pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he solicited bribes to process benefit claims for disabled veterans.
Furman L. Staggers’ sentencing was set for Jan. 30 by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.
The 42-year-old defendant, who has been allowed to remain free without bail, is expected to receive a seven-day jail term and an order to pay $500 in restitution, prosecutors said.
Staggers also will be placed on probation for three years, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Goul.
The two bribery charges against Staggers were filed Sept. 5. He processed a claim July 23 for a disabled veteran and then asked that the victim pay a kickback, Goul said.
The prosecutor said the victim notified authorities, who then videotaped the victim giving Staggers $500.
Staggers solicited a second bribe to process benefits for another disabled veteran, Goul said.
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