By: Richard L. Smith
Pamela VanSyckle, a 60-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker from Oak Ridge, has admitted to committing federal employee compensation fraud, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
In a recent hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark, VanSyckle pleaded guilty to falsely claiming disability benefits.
Documents and court statements reveal that VanSyckle, a rural carrier for the Postal Service, filed a claim in September 2020, asserting she had sustained a work-related injury.
Subsequently, she submitted multiple claim forms, deceitfully stating she had no employment during extended periods.
Federal officials said these false claims led to her receiving $156,872 in disability payments from the federal government.
However, during this period, VanSyckle was actively managing her own travel agency, handling sales, marketing, and financial operations.
Her involvement starkly contradicted her claims of not being self-employed or engaged in any business activities.
The charge of fraud carries severe consequences, including a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Additionally, VanSyckle could face a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount of pecuniary gain derived from the offense.
Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2024, bringing closure to a case that highlights the serious repercussions of defrauding federal employee compensation programs.