Providence VA Service Rep Pleads Guilty To Extortion, Bribery, Witness Tampering

PROVIDENCE, RI — A former benefits service representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Providence pleaded guilty Tuesday to bribery, extortion, gratuity received by a public official and witness tampering, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Michael Darrah, 47, of Taunton, Massachusetts, "solicited and accepted bribes from veterans and the family member of a veteran to approve requested dependent care benefits and/or disability benefits," according to a media release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. "In requesting payments, Darrah claimed that some of the money he sought from his victims would be used to purchase gift cards for other purported VA employees who Darrah claimed either could or did assist him in expediting and approving benefits claims."

Darrah requested payments and accepted about $3,385 from a veteran to “grease the wheels," pushing paperwork through and expediting a claim for disability benefits, the release said.

Darrah also "corruptly sought and accepted $16,566 from a second veteran to expedite and approve a claim for disability benefits," according to the release, "sought and accepted $2,700 from a relative of a third veteran to expedite and approve the veteran’s benefits claim and he sought and accepted a “gratuity” of approximately $5,000 from the same veteran for having successfully used his position at the VA to get other VA employees to expedite and approve the claims. The indictment reflects that Darrah requested this “gratuity” despite being advised that the veteran was facing homelessness as his house was being foreclosed."

When he learned he was the subject of an investigation, "Darrah attempted to corruptly persuade a witness not to cooperate with the investigation and to lie about the nature of payments made to him," the release said.

Darrah's sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 14.