Former Decatur VA Worker's Appeal Denied

A former secretary at the Atlanta VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Decatur who was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft of government funds and making false statements for misusing a government-issued credit card will remain behind bars after her latest appeal was struck down earlier this week.

Attorneys for Zerry Feaster of Ellenwood tried to argue that though Feaster was convicted of siphoning more than $80,000 of federal funds she to buy personal items and gamble, she should have only been charged with misdemeanors as she only stole in increments of fewer than $1,000 at a time.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument and upheld Feaster’s sentence.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division, Feaster was employed as a secretary with the Police Services Division at the VAMC and was responsible for buying office supplies and equipment for the division with a government-issued credit card.

Instead, Feaster used the government-issued card to buy pre-paid gift cards. She then used the gift cards to purchase personal luxury items such as jewelry and designer accessories. She also gambled with some of the money she stole. To cover her tracks, Feaster submitted fake purchase orders.

Following her June 27, 2014 guilty pleas on seven counts of theft of government funds and five counts of making false statements, Feaster was sentenced to serve 13 months in prison followed by three years of probation. Feaster must also pay $88,264.47 in restitution.

“Rather than supporting the men and women who have served our country honorably, Ms. Feaster stole from the VA to gamble and buy herself luxury goods at Coach and Tiffany,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in a statement.

“Feaster’s betrayal of the public trust for personal gain is reprehensible” said Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, Office of Inspector General, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The VA OIG will vigorously investigate allegations of the misuse of public funds whether for the funds whenever the funds are related to VA programs and operations.”