A Tallahassee man is headed to federal prison after admitting he siphoned off more than $50,000 intended for a veteran who couldn’t manage their own finances. Anthony Brewer, 47, received a two-year sentence this week for the theft of government property, a crime that United States Attorney John P. Heekin said involved a gross “abuse of his position of trust.”
The case centered on Brewer’s role as a fiduciary within a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program. In this capacity, Brewer was legally bound to manage the monetary benefits of a specific individual, ensuring the funds were used strictly for the beneficiary’s care, health, and comfort. Instead, court records show that between October 2020 and January 2023, Brewer diverted those funds for his own personal gain.
“This defendant abused his position of trust to financially benefit himself by illegally diverting money that was intended to support one of our brave military veterans,” U.S. Attorney Heekin stated. He added that the sentence holds Brewer accountable for “selfish, criminal conduct” against those who have earned their benefits through sacrifice.
The investigation, led by the VA’s Office of Inspector General, revealed that the total amount stolen reached $53,567.
David Spilker, Special Agent in Charge of the VA OIG’s Southeast Field Office, emphasized that these roles require “high integrity” and that the agency remains committed to investigating anyone who exploits vulnerable veterans.
In addition to the two-year federal term, Brewer has been ordered to pay back the full $53,567 in restitution.
The federal sentence will not start until Brewer finishes a state prison sentence he is currently serving in Florida. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Harley W. Ferguson.
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