Brockton woman sentenced to a month in prison for stealing over $100,000 in veteran affairs funds

BOSTON – A Brockton woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing veteran affairs benefits.

Robin Calef, 62, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to one month in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Calef was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,289 to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). On Nov. 5, 2021, Calef pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds.

In December 2006, Calef’s sister, who was receiving monthly benefits from the VA, passed away. Calef failed to inform the VA of her sister’s death, and the VA continued to deposit monthly benefits into a joint bank account held by Calef and her sister. As a result, from Dec. 1, 2006 to Sept. 20, 2017, the VA made approximately 129 benefit deposits into the joint bank account. Bank records revealed that Calef made monthly withdrawals of approximately the exact amount of VA benefit funds deposited into the joint account. In total, over a period of more than 10 years, Calef stole approximately $102,289 in VA funds not intended for her.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.