Former VA Supervisor Sentenced for Stealing $15K From Government

A former facilities management supervisor at the VA medical center in West Haven has been sentenced to four years of probation, including six months of home confinement, after stealing between $15,000 and $20,000 from the government while on the job, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Venita Godfrey-Scott, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property in May and learned her fate in court today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

She was sentenced to four years of probation and will spend the first six months on home confinement with electric monitoring. Godfrey-Scott is also required to perform 120 hours of community service and pay $15,000 restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

She’s accused of directing VA employees to perform home improvement projects at her private residence from 2010-2013, while serving as a supervisor for the center’s facilities management service.

The department is responsible for carpentry, painting, locks, doors and minor construction projects at the VA facility.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said VA employees worked on a deck in Godfrey-Scott’s backyard, installed carpet at her home and made improvements to her kitchen, bathroom and basement. They purchased construction materials for the projects using her government-issued credit card.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Godfrey-Scott sometimes instructed her employees to work on projects around her home during the regular work day while the VA was paying them.

Investigators found that she stole between $15,000 and $20,000 from the government.

Information on an attorney for Godfrey-Scott was not available.

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