(CLEVELAND) A Cleveland man was sentenced to jail for stealing a medical device from a veteran at the Cleveland VA Medical Center.
Bruce A. McCauley, 66, was sentenced to six months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, McCauley was ordered to reimburse the Cleveland VA Medical Center for the replacement value of the medical device.
McCauley previously pled guilty to one count of theft of government property.
A combat veteran was at the Cleveland VA Medical Center for an appointment on Oct. 12, 2017. The veteran used a bone stimulator to relieve pain in his back from a combat-related injury sustained in Vietnam. Without the medical device, the veteran suffers intense back pain, according to court documents.
McCauley stole the medical device from a bag the veteran used to carry the medical device. The stolen medical device had a replacement value of approximately $9,120, according to court documents.
“Stealing from a combat vet is low enough, but stealing a device used to manage pain stemming from an injury received in Vietnam is just unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We owe all our vets a debt of gratitude and will fulfill our pledge to seek justice for them at every turn.”
“This case reflects the VA OIG’s commitment to vigorously pursue those individuals that steal from our nation’s heroes and the VA ” said Gregg Hirstein, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson. The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General — Criminal Investigative Division, with the assistance of the VA Police.
© 2018 iHeartMedia Photo Courtesy Department of Justice
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