Man gets 2 years for using twin’s ID for veteran benefits

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. sentence / ˈsɛn tns / (v.) – to officially state the punishment that will be given to a person for a crime
    Example:

    The suspect was proven guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.


  2. restitution / ˌrɛs tɪˈtu ʃən / (n.) – payment given by someone for damages or trouble he/she caused
    Example:

    The man was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution for the fire he caused.


  3. estranged / ɪˈstreɪndʒd / (adj.) – no longer in a close relationship with a family member or a friend because of a huge conflict or disagreement
    Example:

    The estranged sisters haven’t talked to each other for years.


  4. indigent / ˈɪn dɪ dʒənt / (adj.) – lacking basic needs like food and clothing because of being poor
    Example:

    A group of doctors regularly visits the indigent community in the city to give them free medical consultations.


  5. fraudulent / ˈfrɔ dʒə lənt / (adj.) – relating to activities that are dishonest and illegal
    Example:

    A government official was caught having a fraudulent transaction using government funds.


Article

Read the text below.

A Florida man was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison for using his twin brother’s stolen identity to obtain tens of thousands of dollars in military veterans benefits.


Wayne Bowen, 64, was sentenced in Jacksonville federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in January to aggravated identity theft. He must also pay $63,773 in restitution.


According to a plea agreement, Bowen used the name, Social Security card and military discharge papers of his estranged twin brother in 2014 to apply for federally subsidized housing benefits intended for indigent military veterans. The program was administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


Bowen admitted to federal agents that he had been using his brother’s identity for years, prosecutors said. Bowen had obtained a Florida identification card using his twin’s identity. He initially told the agents that he and his twin had served in and been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army but later admitted that those were lies.


Based on Bowen’s fraudulent use of his brother’s identity, the VA provided him with $32,434 in medical services, HUD provided him with $18,905 in housing subsidies, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded $12,434 in nutritional benefits for him, officials said. Bowen’s twin, who lives in another state, confirmed that he didn’t apply for any of the benefits and that he never gave Bowen permission to use his name.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Bowen was able to get away with using his twin’s identity for years. What do you think should be done to prevent incidents like this? Discuss.
  • What do you think should be done for victims of identity theft (ex. give them compensation, teach them how to better protect themselves)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Bowen was able to apply for housing, health, and nutritional benefits. Aside from these, what other kinds of benefits should be given to veterans (ex. mental health assistance)? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think veterans should receive special benefits that other government employees don’t get? Why or why not? Discuss.