Christina Nolte, a 52-year-old resident of Bridgeport, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to charges of theft of public money. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Court documents and statements revealed that Nolte falsified medical records in order to obtain disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). She also used her fraudulent disability status to have $242,528 in federal student loans discharged.
As part of her plea agreement, Nolte agreed to forfeit assets and accept a money judgment totaling $360,466.38.
Nolte could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other legal factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer T. Conklin and was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Department of Education.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
