Charlotte Man Faces Federal Charges: Accused of Defrauding VA of Over $42,000 in Disability Benefits Through False Dependent Claims
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced on November 13, 2026, that Alexander Gene Williams, 35, of Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of more than $42,000 in disability benefits. Williams was arrested on October 28 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and had his arraignment in federal court in Charlotte on November 12.
Williams served in the U.S. Army from February 2012 to March 2013. The indictment alleges that in March 2022, Williams began to receive VA disability benefits and later applied for and received additional disability compensation for his three dependent minor children.
The indictment alleges that between October 2023 and April 2026, Williams submitted at least 17 false and fraudulent applications to the VA seeking disability compensation for additional dependent minor children in order to increase his monthly payment. It alleges that the applications were submitted on behalf of minors to whom he was not the father, and in some instances who did not exist, and that at times he used Social Security numbers assigned to other real people. As a result, the indictment alleges, Williams received approximately $42,266 in VA disability compensation payments he was not entitled to receive, and attempted to obtain even greater amounts.
"Abusing taxpayer-funded government resources, especially those intended for veterans, is more than a financial crime, it is a betrayal of public trust," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. VA Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason said VA benefits are earned through service and sacrifice, not deception, and that such conduct diverts resources from veterans who legitimately depend on them.
Williams is charged with theft of government funds, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and aggravated identity theft, which carries a penalty of two years in prison consecutive to any other prison term imposed. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick.
The Department of Justice noted that the charges against Williams are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国退伍军人事务部总部大楼（资料图），本案无被告官方照片。四级固定图库联邦核心包退伍军人事务部固定图，美国政府作品、公共领域。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters (file photo); no official photo of the defendant is available. Fixed federal-core asset-pack image, U.S. government work, public domain.
