A con artist who is accused of defrauding the US Army out of
$100 million has been given the green light to retire with full benefits.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who is under
criminal investigation, brazenly claims she “earned” her civil service
retirement package despite allegedly using the funds to purchase over 30 homes,
luxury cars and jewelry through the seven-year scheme.
The military admitted that there is nothing that can be done
to withhold Mello’s benefits as they’re protected under a federal law that was
held up in government bureaucracy.
“The command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello’s
retirement,” an Army spokesperson told the San Antonio Express-News.
“In accordance with 5 U.S. Code Section 8312, an individual
may be denied an annuity or retired pay on the basis of the service of the
individual, if the individual is convicted of treason, rebellion or
insurrection, or other similar offenses. There is no similar statutory
authority for denying retired pay based on a conviction of other offenses.”
A con artist who is accused of defrauding the US Army out of
$100 million has been given the green light to retire with full benefits.
Federal Court Docs
Albert Flores, Mello’s attorney, told the outlet that his
client “earned” her retirement benefits.
“She earned it. I don’t see how one thing is related to the
other,” he said of the ongoing criminal investigation.
Flores said Mello’s case will be resolved quickly, as she’s
been “very cooperative” in turning over assets.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who is under criminal
investigation, claims she “earned” her civil service retirement package.KSAT
He said she will likely sell some of her lux possessions to
reimburse officials.
Mello, who worked as a civilian financial program manager at
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, hatched a plan in 2016 to create a
bogus business called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development so she could
siphon funds she received from the Army to herself.
Most recently, she’s raked in $130,000 per year at her role.
Mello allegedly used the funds to purchase over 30 homes and
luxury cars through the seven-year scheme. Sue Thatcher
The Internal Revenue Service flagged Mello’s suspicious
business when she included it on her personal tax returns in 2017.
Still, her retirement plan is covered by the Federal Employee
Retirement Service, which includes a basic benefit plan, Social Security and a
savings plan.
In a press release issued in December 2023, the Department
of Justice said Mello “allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by
regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork that indicated an entity she controlled
was entitled to receive funds from the Army.”
Albert Flores, Mello’s attorney, told the outlet that his
client “earned” her retirement benefits. KSAT
Mello claimed her business provided services to military
members and their families through the 4-H program, but instead just funded a
lavish lifestyle for herself.
Mello purchased 31 real properties in Colorado, Maryland, New
Mexico, Texas and Washington.
Along with the massive amount of real estate she was buying,
Mello splurged and purchased at least 80 vehicles.
Mello is also accused of purchasing luxury jewelry items with
the cash. Cobalt
Authorities also seized over $18 million in cash from six
different accounts connected to Mello.
Mello was arrested in December and charged with five counts
of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000
using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
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