An Army Reserve Major was charged for defrauding Gold Star families

| July 13, 2023

Caz Craffy, major in the U.S. Army reserve, was one of the financial counselors working for the Army. He leveraged his status with the Army to defraud Gold Star families. He faces charges that include securities fraud and wire fraud. Craffy fooled the families of fallen service members into engaging in poor investments. Despite these families’ financial losses in this exchange, Craffy profited.

From Task and Purpose:

Craffy, 41, was working at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. At the time he was also working for two private financial firms, which he did not disclose to the Army or Gold Star families. Through his work in the Army, he was connected with Gold Star families, getting them to put financial benefits into accounts that he managed.

Craffy, who according to the indictment used the alias “Carz Craffey,” then made several unapproved trades with these financial firms. They paid him in commissions, which were tied to the size of the investments made. The money he received came from the accounts of the families Craffy was working with.

The trades were often not profitable. When the families approached Craffy about the losses, he made several excuses, according to the indictment, including ” the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in the Ukraine, and inflation generally.”

Craffy allegedly carried out this fraud and manipulation for more than four years, from May 2018 to November 2022. Over that time period he directed more than $9 million of survivor benefits into the funds he managed, netting $1.4 million in commissions while the investments had more than $3 million in losses.

Gold Star families, those who have had immediate family members die in active-duty military service, receive several benefits. Those include a $100,000 death benefit and up to $400,000 in the deceased’s life insurance. Additionally, the military provides financial counselors to assist them in managing the funds and putting them toward healthcare, education and other options.

Task and Purpose has additional information on this story.

Category: "Teh Stoopid", "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves", Army, Crime

39 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ninja

“Army financial adviser Caz Craffy gives a Thanksgiving greeting from Iraq in 2009. (Defense Department)”.

21254.jpeg
ninja

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please meet 1LT Carz Craffrey.

In October 2009, LT Craffrey sent a greeting to New York, New York from Baghdad, Iraq for Thanksgiving 2009.

Please turn on the sound. 15 Seconds:

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/231839/1st-lt-carz-craffey

rgr769

Ninja, what is the source of his commission?

ninja

Great question, rgr769…

I think I remembered finding it.

Let me look/research again.

Thank You!

Claw

Here’s part of the source:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from St. John’s University.
Master of Business Administration from Rutgers Business School.

ninja

St John’s University DOES have a ROTC Department:

https://www.stjohns.edu/offices-departments/rotc

Trying to figure out if he got his Commission that way.

He was also a 1LT in 2009, which means he had been in the Reserves for 6 years.

ninja

“Craffy had been in the Army Reserve since at least 2003, according to the charges. A LinkedIn profile using his name outlines an extensive background in finance, including a bachelor’s degree in finance from St. John’s University, and a master’s in finance from Rutgers Business School. The charges say that Craffy has worked with at least five wealth management companies.”

“Although Craffy was a major in the Army Reserve — he had served since 2003 — his position as a financial counselor in the Army’s Casualty Assistance Office at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was in a civilian capacity.”

The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil.

21257.jpeg
rgr769

Surprise, surprise, Sgt. Carter! Too bad Judge Hemp (as in rope) doesn’t get to pass judgment on him.

ninja

😆😅👌😆😅👌🤭👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👌👌👍

KoB

4 short pieces of hemp, 4 long stakes, 1 fire ant bed, 1 gallon of honey, this POS. Some assembly required.

Despicable Ass!

2banana

Half gone…that’s a great financial advisor.

Can we get Nancy P and Dan Crenshaw to share their financial advice? They never lose.

“Over that time period he directed more than $9 million of survivor benefits into the funds he managed, netting $1.4 million in commissions while the investments had more than $3 million in losses.”

5JC

Satan is warming up a nice warm love seat for him in hell, anticipating his arrival. You don’t often get in those souls who steal from war widows and orphans, but when you do, it is special.

Berliner

Hope Satan is considering implanting a spreading blackberry bush in Craffy’s rectum for eternity. He deserves it.

Anonymous

Always a good choice:

ninja

His Full Name is Carz Levinski Craffey.

Where Are You, Claw? 😉😎

Carz Craffey, CFO of SLUSAtv, New York, NY:

https://www.alignable.com/new-york-ny/slusatv

“Caz Craffy (CRD# 5222223, a/k/a Carz Levinski Craffey) is a former broker last employed with Monmouth Capital Management LLC (CRD#:290248) of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. His previous employers include Newbridge Securities Corporation (CRD#:104065) and National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) of Morristown, NJ, and Joseph Gunnar & Co. LLC (CRD#:24795) of Staten Island, NY. He has been in the industry since 2011.”

“FINRA began an investigation into Craffy on 11/10/2022 into his outside business activities (OBA.) The investigation began following a customer complaint to FINRA. The next day, Monmouth Capital terminated his employment due to his failure to disclose his OBA.”

“Craffy responded through legal counsel that he would not provide any documentation or testimony at any time. Therefore, FINRA permanently barred Craffy effective 12/08/2022, following his signature of an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) letter, which neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.”

“Craffy is the subject of a Washington Post article describing his activities where he worked directly with surviving families of deceased military members.”

“Grieving Families Trusted An Army Financial Adviser. They Lost Fortunes.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/27/army-life-insurance-caz-craffy/

21262 (1).jpeg
Reddawg_03

Go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, and do not collect any more money.

ninja

thebesig…

That.Was.Bad…

🤭😅😆🤭😅😆🤭😅😆👌👌👌

Claw

For ripping off Gold Star families, the Whiz Wheel®™ says he deserves a FBBSDC* (H/T to Hondo) multiplier of Ten. So:

Carz Levinski Craffey 48 x 10 = 480

*Full Blown Bat Shit Drooling Crazy

Wireman611

Pineapple, inserted where the sun doesn’t currently shine, fronds first. Then turn him over to Bubba and Thor.

e.conb

Sorry, I didn’t get his name. Please advise.

ninja

e.conb:

Carz Levinski Craffey.

😉😎

President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neande

That’s the problem with most “financial advisors”.
They make money through “churning”, investing, and trading, even when the investments and trades lose money. So there is very little incentive for them to do a good job and make a profit for their clients.

Caveat Emptor. Still, this piece of shit needs to swing!

poetrooper

Caveat Emptor, indeed. Ol’ Poe has been advising family members for years to learn the process and do your own careful investing.

A financial advisor is trying to make money for his employer, himself and you, using your money.

Who does common sense tell you he’s likely to be most concerned about when using that money?

ninja

This case is very disturbing since it involves TWO family members, Jessica Hornton, 53 and Mary Horton, both from Matewan, West Virginia, a Mother and Daughter team who for YEARS, stole $181,713.58 United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Survivor’s Benefits.

It made us sick reading about it.

What is more sickening is reading the obituary of one of the thieves, Mary Horton, the Mother. She died in 2011.

Her obituary painted her as a wonderful Christian Woman who loved Jesus.

Yeah. Right. Are we judging? Yes We Are…And You Will See Why.

Mary Horton, the Mother of 53 year old Jessica Horton (please see Mary’s picture) was the initial culprit who started stealing her Sisters’ Survivor Benefits in 1999, the year her Sister died.

You read it right. What a great Sister…and Christian…stealing. *sarc*

What happened was that Mary’s Sister was receiving VA monthly death benefits starting 1 May 1945 after the death of her husband in World War II.

Around 1964, the benefits were being mailed to her Post Office Box in Matewan, West Virgina.

On February 21, 1999, the Sister/Widow died. Because of her death, the entitlement to benefits should have stopped.

Right?

Well, it just so happened that Mary had access to that Post Office Box. She fraudulently signed on the benefits so that she, Mary, could receive the her deceased Sister’s benefits and convert them to her own use.

Mary fraudulently received the monthly benefits until her death on February 14, 2011. That great “Christian” woman illegally collected $$ from the VA for 12 years. She was not entitled to those funds.

Did those benefits stop because of Mary’s death?

*Continue*

21286.jpeg
ninja

*Continue*

Following Mary’s death in 2011, Jessica, the Daughter, took over the Post Office Box and began signing her Great Aunt’s name (Mary’s deceased Sister) in order to receive the monthly benefits.

Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Jessica admitted that she knew she was not entitled or authorized to sign her Great Aunt’s name on the benefits.

But she did it anyway.

Jessica deposited the benefits in various bank accounts at a Williamson bank where she was an account owner and signatory and converted the money to her own use.

She admitted that from March 2011 until 31 December 2022, she knowingly and willfully took approximately $181,713,58 in VA survivor’s benefits that she was not entitled or authorized to receive.

The monthly benefits were terminated by the VA on or around 12 January 2023.

Looks as if she got caught.

Just as her Mother, Jessica illegally collected those benefits for 12 years.

Did we say “Like Mother, Like Daughter”?

Jessica is scheduled to be sentenced on 21 September 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,00 fine. She also owes $181,713.58 in restitution.

So…Jessica, the Daughter, is being punished.

Did her Mother, Mary, get away with it?

Something is still not right. According to Mary’s 2011 obituary, she left behind her Husband of 45 years, her Sons and Daughters and Siblings.

And none of them got suspicious of Mary having that money?

Or maybe they knew…and kept it a secret?

Because after all, how did Jessica know about that Post Office Box?

And how did Jessica get caught?

You can read the case at this link:

“Mingo County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Military Death Benefits”

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/mingo-county-woman-pleads-guilty-theft-military-death-benefits

*Continue For Mary Helen Horton’s Obituary*

21292.jpeg
ninja

*Continue*

Mary Helen Horton’s 2011 Obituary.

We Are Not Going To Ask You To Be The Judge Since Mary’s Maker Is Her Judge.

https://www.chambersfuneralservices.com/obituary/1075030

“Mary Helen Horton February 14, 2011”

“The sun set on Mary Helen Horton Monday February 14, 2011, at the South Williamson, Ky., ARH Hospital, not signifying the end of a life, but defining a new beginning for a soul set free.”

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“A daughter of the late William and Jessie Pope Johnson, Helen’s journey began on April 28, 1943, at William Ann, W.Va.”

“Helen’s love for beautiful roses and flowers was revealed in her personality, a character and love that bloomed just as beautiful as the rose’s she cultivated. Not only was Helen a dedicated homemaker making her family, loved ones, and friends, priority, she was also instrumental in the functions of her home church holding the congregation of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church of Red Jacket, W.Va., close to her heart loving them as family. Her devotion to Christ was manifested in her love through the offices she was involved in with her church and church family.”

“Those left to honor her loving memory and mourn her passing include her loving husband of 45 years Bobby Ray Horton, sons Donnie E. (Lisa) Horton, Robert E. (Deborah) Horton, Fred D. (Kim) Horton, and Raymond L. (Rebecca) Horton, daughters Mary H. (Curtis) Horton, and Jessica (and her son Rayquam) Horton, brothers Billyon (Regina) and Balconi Johnson, sister Benita Johnson Sherman, Helen is also survived by a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

“Helen is also survived by special friends Willie Joplin, Dorothy Washington, Ashley Jones, Sharon Joplin and Terry Johnson.”

21295.gif
ninja

Mary Helen Horton’s Obituary Guestbook with comments:

https://www.chambersfuneralservices.com/guestbook/1075030

21298.jpeg
Claw

The indictment says crazy crappy defrauded at least 29 (but could be 31) separate Gold Star families, so he was into it for the long haul.

ninja

Carz/Caz Craffy deployed during OIF, possibly with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, which is based out of New York.

Info about the 353rd CACOM:

https://www.usar.army.mil/USACAPOC/353rdCACOM/

caz craffy 2.jpg
fm2176

It takes all sorts, from this dishonorable field grade officer to the SFC who was buying out the cigarettes on Camp New Jersey and selling them for a huge profit back in February/March 2003.

Greed isn’t bound by rank or social status. One has only to look at the alleged corruption of the Biden family, or if you prefer, the totally legit indictments of Ol’ Joe’s predecessor. Sometimes, it’s politics or outright hatred (read: Trump, or in my attempt to be objective, Biden if you’re on the Left). Oftentimes, when it comes to mid-to-low level jackassery, it’s simply greed on the part of someone who was too smart for their own good. Gold Star families have already suffered plenty. Having a financial advocate who was also a commissioned officer in the military defraud them is adding much insult to the injury of their remembrance of a lost loved one.

Last edited 1 year ago by fm2176
ninja

In April 2022, Caz Craffy along with his Fiancee became proud owners of a new home.

Hmmm….. 😎 

caz craffy.jpg
ninja

Another picture of Caz with his Fiancee and new home in April 2022.

caz 3.jpg
ninja

Public Information.

Dude is getting ready to have his 41st Birthday on 21 July.

One marriage was in December 2005 in Queens, New York City, New York.

The other was in January 2013 in Fairview, Bergen, New Jersey,

Here is the PDF on the case against him.

42 pages:

https://www.sec.gov/files/comp-pr2023-127.pdf

ninja

Hmmm..

At one time, his name was associated with Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Here is a Resume I found on him.

He claims to attended St Johns from 2000-2005.

That makes sense since he most likely graduated from High School in 2000 (he was born in July 1982). His resume has him attending Xavier High School from 1996-2000.

His Resume also states he was a Platoon Leader/XO since June 2003.

He then attended Rutgers Business School and received a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing and Business Management (2-14-2016).

caz resume.jpg
Blaster

Draw/quarter!

Green Thumb

All-Points Logistics must be in damage control….

rgr769

Speaking of reserve personnel, Brandon has just called up 3,000 reservists for active duty for “Operation Atlantic Resolve.” Fortunately, my reserve component days ended in about 1979.