Military

School Owner Gets Prison Time For Ripping Off VA, Disabled Vets

June 17, 2021Hannah Ray Lambert
bomb threats

Federal authorities have accused Christopher Fassih, 25, of Ohio, of transporting child pornography and phoning in bomb threats. Photo by Bill Oxford, courtesy of Unsplash.

A Maryland man was sentenced this week to two and a half years in prison for defrauding a US Department of Veterans Affairs program meant to rehabilitate veterans with disabilities.


Francis Engles, 65, owned and operated Engles Security Training School. In 2015, it became an approved vendor of the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment program, which helps disabled veterans explore employment and training options. Engles’ company obtained more than 80% of its revenue from the VA from that point on. Engles falsely claimed to be providing veterans with “months-long courses for 40 hours per week and over 600 total hours,” according to a press release from the Department of Justice.


The VA paid Engles $337,960 to educate veterans. In reality, the company offered just a few hours of class per day and some veterans didn’t attend more than one class, according to the DOJ. Engles nonetheless instructed veterans to sign attendance sheets for classes they had not taken and submitted letters to the VA falsely stating that veterans were employed by his security business, prosecutors said.


Engles also “attempted to obstruct the investigation into his fraud,” the DOJ said, lying during an interview with federal agents and preventing his employee from producing documents in response to a grand jury subpoena.


In addition to prison time, Engles has been ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.


Read Next: The Military Lost Track of 2,000 Weapons in 10 Years — Most Were Stolen



Hannah Ray Lambert
Hannah Ray Lambert

Hannah Ray Lambert is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die who previously covered everything from murder trials to high school trap shooting teams. She spent several months getting tear gassed during the 2020-2021 civil unrest in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not working, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and talking about authors and books on her podcast Between Lewis and Lovecraft.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

Ouija Board aircraft carrier
Low-Tech ‘Ouija Boards’ Have Helped Aircraft Carriers Operate for Decades

Since the 1920s, a low-tech tabletop replica of an aircraft carrier’s flight deck has been an essential tool in coordinating air operations.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved