{"id":2162321,"date":"2024-01-29T17:41:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T22:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/con-artist-accused-of-stealing-100m-from-army-is-allowed-to-retire-with-full-benefits\/"},"modified":"2024-01-29T17:44:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T22:44:32","slug":"con-artist-accused-of-stealing-100m-from-army-is-allowed-to-retire-with-full-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/con-artist-accused-of-stealing-100m-from-army-is-allowed-to-retire-with-full-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Accused &#8216;Con Artist&#8217; Stealing $100M from Army Retires with Full Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcon-artist-accused-of-stealing-100m-from-army-is-allowed-to-retire-with-full-benefits%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2162321&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo\u2064 via; Federal Court \u2064Documents)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>OAN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/tag\/james-meyers\">James \u2063Meyers<\/a><br \/>2:33 PM\u200b \u2013 Monday, January\u200c 29, 2024<\/h2>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-worker-unions-lose-only-1-percent-of-complaints-filed-against-them-by-government-workers-study\/\" title=\"Study: Federal worker unions face just 1% loss in complaints by government employees.\">civil service worker<\/a> who was accused of\u200d defrauding \u200bthe U.S. Army out of $100 million was \u2062granted\u2062 the right \u200bto retire with full benefits. <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px; text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>57-year-old Janet Yamanaka Mello, who is currently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/newsroom\/con-artist-accused-of-stealing-over-100m-from-army-to-buy-jewelry-clothing-vehicles-real-estate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">under criminal investigation<\/a>, claims that she earned her retirement package after purportedly using the funds to purchase more \u200bthan 30 homes, luxurious items, and high-end jewelry during a seven-year scheme. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote data-service=\"twitter\" data-category=\"marketing\" data-placeholder-image=\"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/complianz-gdpr\/assets\/images\/placeholders\/twitter-minimal.jpg\" class=\"cmplz-placeholder-element twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">REPORT: U.S. Army employee Janet Yamanaka Mello has been indicted after she allegedly stole\u2062 $100 *million* \u200dfrom the United States Army.<\/p>\n<p>Insane.<\/p>\n<p>Mello was reportedly able to \u2064gather $100 million \u200dwith \u200cfraudulent paperwork before authorities \u200bnoticed.<\/p>\n<p>Mello then used the money to\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lVSW7A57Ik\">pic.twitter.com\/lVSW7A57Ik<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Collin \u2062Rugg (@CollinRugg)\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollinRugg\/status\/1745509284769882233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-service=\"twitter\" data-category=\"marketing\" async data-cmplz-src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>However,\u2062 the military \u200cadmitted that they cannot keep back the con\u2063 artist\u2019s\u200d benefits as they\u2019re\u2064 protected \u2064under a federal law that was held up in a government \u2062bureaucracy.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cThe command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello\u2019s \u200bretirement,\u201d an Army spokesperson told the <em>San \u2062Antonio Express-News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cIn accordance with 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, \u2064an individual may \u2062be denied \u200dan annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the individual, if the individual\u200c is convicted of treason, rebellion or insurrection, \u200cor other similar offenses. There \u200cis no similar statutory \u200cauthority for denying retired pay\u200c based on a conviction of\u200d other offenses.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The civil service worker allegedly created a fake company in 2016 called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which allowed her\u2063 to siphon funds she received from the Army to herself. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the 57-year-old has been bringing in $130,000 per year at her role. <\/p>\n<p>The discovery of the plan began \u200cwhen the Internal Revenue Service flagged Mello\u2019s \u200calleged business when she began including it on her tax \u2063returns in 2017. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>The Department\u2062 of \u2062Justice issued a press release in December 2023, saying Mello \u201callegedly stole more than \u200c$100 million\u2064 in Army funds by regularly submitting\u2062 fraudulent paperwork that indicated\u200c an entity she \u2063controlled was \u2064entitled to receive funds from\u2062 the Army.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In response to\u200b the claims, Mello said \u200cher \u200dalleged business was to provide services to military members and their families through the 4-H program,\u200b but instead used the funds to build her own lavish lifestyle. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Mello purchased 31 properties in several states such as Maryland, Texas and Washington. She also purchased over 80 \u2064luxurious vehicles. <\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, authorities confiscated over $18 million in cash\u2063 from\u2064 six different accounts connected to the 57-year-old. <\/p>\n<p>Mello was arrested last December and was \u2063charged with\u2064 five counts of\u200d mail fraud,\u2064 four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over \u2063$10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated\u2063 identity\u200d theft. <\/p>\n<p>She pleaded not guilty and is set to return to court\u200d in February.\u2063 If\u200c found guilty, Mello will face \u2062a\u2063 maximum prison sentence\u2064 of 142 years. <\/p>\n<p>Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your\u2064 inbox for free. Subscribe here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"rc-widget-10bad2\" data-rc-widget data-widget-host=\"habitat\" data-endpoint=\"\/\/trends.revcontent.com\" data-widget-id=\"278641\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text\" style=\"margin-bottom:10px\"> \t\t \t\tShare this post!\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>The Biden Administration is\u200d pushing\u2063 gun control measures onto parents all in the name of public safety. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>A Federal Jury orders Donald Trump to pay millions to writer\u2063 E. Jean Carroll. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Israel vows to bring all of the hostages \u200chome as they \u2064look to Qatar to broker a new deal. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Since the overturning of Roe V Wade, some corporations have interjected their social-political agendas, going as far as paying for\u200b their employees to travel out\u00a0of\u00a0state for abortions. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>January 29, 2024 \u2013 6:18 AM PST (Reuters) \u2063\u2013 Microsoft\u00a0(MSFT.O)\u00a0is expected to report\u2064 a 15.8%\u200d jump in quarterly revenue, its best growth\u2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>X \u200dis in the process\u2062 of hiring 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas that will focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/49ers-storm-back-in-second-half-to-stun-lions-reach-super-bowl\/\" title=\"49ers rally in second half, shock Lions, make it to Super Bowl\">fighting child abuse content<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Intel\u00a0slumped more than 12% on Friday following a bleak\u2063 first-quarter revenue outlook<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Microsoft\u00a0will let \u200bgo of \u20641,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox this week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> What \u2064federal law\u2062 protects retirement benefits for civil service\u200d workers, even those accused of significant fraud like \u200dJanet Yamanaka Mello?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Title: U.S. Civil Service Worker Accused of Defrauding \u200bU.S. Army Granted Retirement \u2062Benefits<\/p>\n<p>Introduction:<\/p>\n<p>In\u2063 a\u2062 surprising turn of events, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-biden-rule-seeks-to-shield-federal-workers-from-trump-era-firings\/\" title=\"Biden introduces rule to protect federal workers from Trump's dismissals.\">civil\u2064 service worker<\/a> who\u200b allegedly defrauded the U.S. Army\u2063 of $100 million has been granted \u200dthe right to retire with full benefits. Janet Yamanaka Mello, a 57-year-old woman currently under criminal investigation, has been accused of using the embezzled funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including the purchase\u2064 of multiple properties\u200c and luxury items.\u2062 This\u200d decision raises questions about the\u200c protection of retirement benefits \u200bfor\u200c individuals involved in fraudulent activities.<\/p>\n<p>Background:<\/p>\n<p>Janet Yamanaka Mello, an employee of the U.S. Army, has been indicted on charges of stealing\u2064 a staggering $100 million from the United \u2063States Army. According to reports, Mello conducted a seven-year scheme, during which she allegedly used fraudulent paperwork to divert funds to a fake\u200d company she \u2063created called Child Health and Youth Lifelong\u2064 Development. As a result, she \u2062was able to purchase more than 30 homes, luxurious items, and high-end jewelry. The\u200d discovery of her\u2064 fraudulent \u2064activities began when the Internal Revenue \u2064Service\u2063 flagged \u200bher alleged \u2064business in \u20622017,\u200c leading to further investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Retirement Benefits:<\/p>\n<p>Despite the criminal charges against her, Mello has been granted the right to \u200cretire\u2063 with full benefits, as the military acknowledged that it lacks the authority to withhold her retirement\u200c package. \u2062This \u200dis due to a federal law\u200c that protects retirement benefits for individuals unless they are convicted of \u2064certain \u200bcrimes such\u2064 as treason, rebellion, or insurrection. As Mello&#8217;s offenses do not fall\u200b under these categories, she cannot\u200b be denied her retirement benefits. The Army spokesperson emphasized this point, stating that there is no similar statutory authority to deny her benefits based on conviction for \u2064other offenses.<\/p>\n<p>Consequences:<\/p>\n<p>The granting of retirement\u2064 benefits to Mello, despite her involvement in a significant fraud case, raises concerns about the existing legal framework\u2064 for \u200dprotecting retirement benefits. In this case, Mello&#8217;s actions have resulted in \u2062substantial financial \u200bloss for the U.S. Army, yet she is still entitled to retire with full\u2062 benefits. This highlights a gap in the legislation that needs to \u200cbe addressed to prevent those involved in fraudulent activities\u200c from benefiting financially at the \u200cexpense \u2062of their crimes.<\/p>\n<p>Confiscation and Criminal Charges:<\/p>\n<p>In addition to\u2063 her retirement benefits, Mello has faced further consequences\u2062 for\u200b her actions. Authorities have\u2062 confiscated over $18 million in cash from six different accounts connected to her. Furthermore, Mello has been\u2063 arrested and charged with\u200c five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging\u2064 in\u200d a \u200bmonetary transaction over\u2063 $10,000 using criminally\u2064 derived proceeds, and one count\u2062 of aggravated identity theft.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion:<\/p>\n<p>Janet Yamanaka Mello&#8217;s case sheds light on the challenging legal landscape \u2063surrounding retirement benefits \u200cfor individuals involved \u2064in fraudulent activities.\u200b The granting of retirement benefits to Mello, despite her alleged involvement in\u200d a massive embezzlement \u2063scheme, calls for a reexamination of existing legislation to ensure that those who commit similar offenses cannot benefit financially. As investigations proceed and legal procedures take their course, it remains to be seen how this case will influence future policies\u200c and regulations concerning retirement benefits in cases \u200cof fraudulent activities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A civil service worker accused of defrauding the U.S. Army of $100 million was allowed to retire with full benefits. Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, currently under criminal investigation, asserts she rightfully earned her retirement. (Photo: Federal Court Documents)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2301,"featured_media":2162322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2162321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2162321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162321\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2162322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2162321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2162321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2162321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}