OPINION:
U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha is a dolt for the plea deal he made with Sarah Cavanaugh, a Rhode Island woman who stole over $250,000 from the Providence VA and nonprofit groups but will only have to pay $82,000 in restitution. Cavanaugh faces more than 20 years in prison, but Cunha has agreed to recommend a very short jail term. What on Earth is he thinking? He is obviously not a military veteran and has no respect for veterans.
Cavanaugh reportedly passed herself off as a disabled, decorated combat Marine Corps staff sergeant. She ought to be made to go to trial before a jury, with some of the members being Marines. She should serve at least five years in jail.
Cavanaugh worked as a social worker for the VA and abused the trust she had been given by using her access to real vets’ records to make forgeries of them to create her false military record. This woman is pond scum. Her scam hurts legitimate veterans on many levels, and the Justice Department must make an example of her to deter future fraud.
Unfortunately, she will probably spend less than 90 days in jail and will never pay back even the $82,000 in restitution she has promised to return.
Cmdr. WAYNE L. JOHNSON
Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Navy (retired)
Alexandria, Virginia
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