Feds: Woman pocketed dead brother's VA benefits

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — While thousands of veterans wait for their backlogged benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, one Orange County woman who has never served watched her bank account grow for years.

Linda Marshall has been arrested and plead guilty in federal court to illegally inheriting her brother's pension after he died.

"I think they should throw the book at her, it's not right. There's a lot of guys that need it and it's taking away from them," Veteran Bill Patrick said.

Veterans who benefit from the VA were appalled to hear about the scheme.

"You're taking away from the real veterans," Dan Cooley said.

Federal authorities said Marshall's brother passed away in 2008, but she never reported his death and continued to collect nearly $40,000 until last year. All of the money was being directly deposited into Marshall's brother's account.

Surveillance video at local banks show Marshall withdrawing money from her brother's account, investigators said.

Court documents reveal she confessed to the crime and admitted what she was doing was wrong. Veterans said many of them worry this happens a lot more than people are aware of.

Marshall is facing up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

WFTV