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Date: 06-23-2020
Case Style:
United States of America v. Victor Demattia
Case Number: 8:19-cr-00416-PJM
Judge: Peter J. Messitte
Court: United States District Court for the District of Maryland (Prince George's County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
Greenbelt, MD - The United States of America charged Victor Demattia, age 64, with theft of government property, for stealing more than $400,000 in Civil Service Retirement benefits and Social Security benefits.
According to Demattia’s plea agreement, from February 2009 through June 2018, Demattia stole monthly Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension payments and Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefit (RIB) payments intended for his mother after her death, resulting in a loss to the United States Government of $409,421.
Specifically, at the time of his mother’s death, she was receiving CSRS pension payments from OPM and RIB payments from SSA by direct deposit to a joint account held by Demattia and his mother. When his mother died, Demattia did not notify SSA or OPM of her death, and as a result, SSA and OPM continued to make monthly deposits into the joint bank account. Demattia admitted that he withdrew the CSRS and RIB funds each month, typically by checks he endorsed, payable to himself or to his now-defunct medical transport business, Patriot Medical Transport.
On March 5, 2019, during an interview conducted by agents of the SSA Office of Inspector General and OPM Office of Inspector General, Demattia admitted that he spent his mother’s RIB and CSRS payments after her death. He stated that he knew he was not entitled to the money, but spent the fund to cover expenses for his failing business such as payroll, fuel, receivables, and other operating expenses, as well as on personal expenses through debit card purchases after the closure of his business.
In total, Demattia stole $369,018 from OPM and $40,403 from SSA after his mother’s death. As part of his plea agreement, Demattia will be required to forfeit and to pay a money judgment in the amount of $409,421.
Demattia faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for theft of government property. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. As part of his plea agreement, the government has agreed to recommend a sentence of no more than 18 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the SSA Office of Inspector General and OPM Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davio, who is prosecuting the case.
18:641 THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY; 18:2 AIDING AND ABETTING
(1)
Outcome: 06/16/2020 14 Arraignment as to Victor Matti Demattia (1) Count 1 held on 6/16/2020 before Judge Peter J. Messitte. Plea entered by Victor Matti Demattia (1) Guilty as to Count 1. (Court Reporter: Renee Ewing) (ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/16/2020)
06/16/2020 15 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Victor Matti Demattia (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Stipulation of Facts)(ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/16/2020)
06/16/2020 16 -SEALED- PLEA SUPPLEMENT as to Victor Matti Demattia (ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/16/2020)
06/16/2020 17 Regular Sentencing Order as to Victor Matti Demattia. Signed by Judge Peter J. Messitte on 6/16/2020. (ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/16/2020)
06/16/2020 18 ORDER Regarding the Use of Video Conferencing as to Victor Matti Demattia. Signed by Judge Peter J. Messitte on 6/16/2020. (heps, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/16/2020)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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