Phillip C. Cassamassima; specialized VA lawyer arrested
Mary sends us links to the story of Phillip C. Cassamassima and Dora Richards who were arrested this week in Brevard County, Florida for scamming veterans. It looks like he posed as a lawyer who specialized in helping veterans file for their benefits with the Veterans’ Administration according to Florida Today;
Cassamassima collected the victim’s personal information, including his date of birth, social security number, military records, marriage certificate and son’s birth certificate. He then attempted to charge the victim another $1,500, but did him a “favor” by lowering it to $300.
The victim would be expected to pay this later and was informed that the defendant wins 90 percent of his cases, and he should expect to receive between $10,000 and $250,000 in benefits in return for the defendant’s legal services.
The victim then underwent a medical examination by defendant Dora Richards, who falsely portrayed herself as a registered nurse and “Intake Coordinator” for the company. The victim’s wife became suspicious of the exam due to her occupation as a registered nurse.
So, police arrested the clown when the victim paid him the $300 along with Richards. Someone who sent the tip to Mary says that Cassamassima has an extensive criminal record which includes time in the hoosegow for indecency with a child, grand theft, larceny and forgery.
Yeah, you don’t need a lawyer to file your claim with the VA, you only need a VSO representative – they do it for free.
Skru dese tew assoles.
Yeah, the above incorrect spelling is intentional. But I think it gets my point across anyway.
I am so glad I moved out of Brevard earlier this year. The place is nuts.
Dirtbags… hope they enjoy being Bubba and “Butches” bitches.
Scumbag scammers…
Brevard County, huh?
I wonder if he is APL’s payroll?
My biological younger brother (we were both adopted and raised in different families) recommended that I retain the legal resources of the REP FOR VETS web site, which I have done.
Here is the URL for the REP FOR VETS web site:
http://www.repforvets.com/
In my own personal experience, depending on which state you live in, the Veterans Service Officers are either very good, or totally ineffective, possibly because of their massive work load.
When my brother, a licensed pilot and self employed professional photographer specializing in aerial photography, had open heart surgery at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, the anesthesiologist made a mistake, which caused a stroke, leaving my brother legally blind, unable to focus his vision.
It took a few years of classic bureaucratic wrangling, but thanks to the attorney(s) at the REP FOR VETS web site, the VA finally awarded my brother a hundred percent service connection.
When you are one hundred percent service connected, your income is around three thousand dollars a month, tax free, and you’re given a military ID card with access to medical treatment at a military hospital, shopping at the commissary and PX, and are allowed to fly on military aircraft when space is available.
When I lived in Utah and Idaho, I had EXCELLENT representation by the Veteran Service Officers.
But, here in Mississippi, I’ve yet to get any response from any Veteran Service Officer.
So, I’m now being represented by the very same REP FOR VETS attorney who successfully represented my brother.
The REP FOR VETS attorneys (located in Florida) do not accept a client unless they are certain they will win the case, and their fee is thirty percent of the award.
An interesting note:
My brother and I were both soldiers in the United States Army, stationed in Germany at the SAME TIME, but we didn’t know about each other.
He was a lieutenant in a transportation unit, and I was a PFC in the Signal Corps.
Ain’t that something?
Pretty neat, huh?
Just for the sake of accuracy, the post link to the “Florida Today” actually goes to the “Space Coast Daily” web site. The two are not related and are different business interests.
There are two Florida Today articles on these “people” and those articles can be found here:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013311150032
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013131114013
As a VSO for the American Legion, I can say that our office works VERY hard to get our Veterans the benefits that they deserve. We have an excellent track record. However, I was on vacation and was assisting my friend with his claim coz he uses the Am Leg where he is and was shocked to see how he was treated in their office. Every office is different and so is every Service Organization; but beware of ANYONE asking for $$$$. I am constantly offered cash from Veterans I have helped and must always, respectfully decline it. I suggest that they may donate to my organization but we are NOT allowed to receive cash. Listen to your “little voice” as Magnum used to say!!