Anthony Ventura; Vietnam vet embezzles from DFC Society

Anthony Ventura, a Vietnam War Navy pilot and Treasurer of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society pleaded guilty in a San Diego courtroom yesterday to embezzling $140,000, according to the San Diego Tribune;

Anthony Ventura, a naval aviator in Vietnam who himself has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, began taking funds after filing for personal bankruptcy in 2014, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He opened a secret credit union account and put $124,000 in society assets there to spend at his leisure. He spent more than $30,000 to operate his horses, Sovran Star Stables; $67,000 to buy stocks and bonds; and $25,600 in other personal living expenses.

According to Fox5, the IRS and FBI cooperated on the investigation since Ventura filed false reports to the IRS.

“It is unfortunate that Naval Veteran Anthony Ventura’s service to this country will now be tarnished by his decision to embezzle funds from the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, which also led him to file a fraudulent tax return on its behalf,” said Damon Rowe, the special agent in charge of the IRS criminal investigation. “Mr. Ventura ignored his duty to file an accurate tax return and will now be labeled a convicted felon, in addition to a decorated naval aviator.”

From NBC Los Angeles;

The defendant was previously awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross, said Robinson. After his military career, he worked as a Senior Vice President of Wachova Securities.

Category: Veterans in the news