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shield · May 28, 2008, 08:12 AM

I've come across some documents left by a former tenant which indicate she is involved in a marriage intended to defraud the government out of money. The former tenant is married to someone in the military and the papers they both signed said the marriage is solely to receive BAH. The tenant also receives welfare and on the papers the tenant stated they are not married. I have all the documents which prove the marriage is a sham. What should I do? Located in virginia.

crystalbivens · May 28, 2008, 08:20 AM

Don't open a can of worms you know nothing about...

shield · May 28, 2008, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by crystalbivens

don't open a can of worms you know nothing about.....

What do you mean? I know a lot about the situation. Are you saying I shouldn't say anything? If it comes out that I knew about what was going on can't I get in trouble?

twinkiedooter · May 28, 2008, 04:20 PM

Take your documentation to the police or sheriff's department and let them take care of the matter. I for one don't like people defrauding our government out of free money that could be used to help a family who really needs help. Or you can go to the nearest military base and ask to see someone there to discuss this matter as well. If the person in the military is defrauding his country - shame on him.

crystalbivens · May 28, 2008, 04:32 PM

My point is just be careful and be discreet you don't know what kind of people they are and what they are capable of doing.

Fr_Chuck · May 28, 2008, 04:55 PM

In VA there should be a military base very close, you can contact their military police and turn this over to them. I would like to see it go to the military, while the local police may, again they may not either.

froggy7 · May 28, 2008, 06:37 PM

I'm not sure that this counts as a fraud. Are they legally married? If so, then they are married. They may very well have gotten married for the financial benefits, but there is no requirement in the US that marriages be made only because you are deeply in love with someone. In fact, I heard recently on the radio that something like 7% of marriages are strictly for health insurance and other benefits.

Now, the tenant can't play both sides of the fence... she's either married or she isn't. So one part of the government is being played, but I am not sure which it is.

smearcase · May 29, 2008, 09:46 AM

Maybe they are old documents they meant to throw away because they are superceded by newer documents. I applaud your patriotism but I think you are going out on a limb. You THINK you have it all figured out but maybe you don't. The military certainly has access to all the documents you would be giving them anyhow.
If you do nothing, what would you get in trouble for? Failure to uncover a plot?
If you report it, the worst outcome would be a defamation of character lawsuit.
Are there any laws about invading the privacy of renters or former renters?
You should forward the documents to the former tenants and drop it.
You may not agree but this is the best advice I can give you.

shield · May 29, 2008, 10:15 AM

The update: seems like I didn't have to do anything because yesterday the police came looking for the tenant because there is a warrant out for them. Many levels of fraud so I guess it worked out in the end. Thank you to all who gave positive advice.

johnnycupcakes · Jun 16, 2008, 01:03 AM

Take the documents to the nearest military base, recruiter, etc.. The military will take care of the investigation.

Even though this may not be against U.S Civilian Law it may be against U.S. Military Law. The military have different laws than we do out here in civilian life. They have different penalties for things we don't even think about. The only reason I know this about the military is because I have been a military dependent for a long time.

johnnycupcakes · Jun 16, 2008, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by froggy7

I'm not sure that this counts as a fraud. Are they legally married? If so, then they are married. They may very well have gotten married for the financial benefits, but there is no requirement in the US that marriages be made only because you are deeply in love with someone. In fact, I heard recently on the radio that something like 7% of marriages are strictly for health insurance and other benefits.

Now, the tenant can't play both sides of the fence... she's either married or she isn't. So one part of the government is being played, but I am not sure which it is.

Just because it is not against US law does not mean it's not against UNITED STATES MILITARY LAWS and REGULATIONS.

JudyKayTee · Jun 16, 2008, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by johnnycupcakes

Just because it is not against US law does not mean it's not against UNITED STATES MILITARY LAWS and REGULATIONS.

I do not believe the military has its own set of rules and regulations concerning valid marriages - can you change my mind?

I thought if it's a valid, recognized, legal marriage it's recognized by the military.

crossmethod23 · Mar 5, 2011, 11:23 PM

I was in the middle of a worse situation, I was living with my girlfriend at the time, she said that she wanted to marry someone (only have a legal document, for extra benefits on both sides... blah blah blah) anyway, we had been engaged and she said that if I didn't let her do it then she would leave me and that would have screwed me over because I was far from family and had no where to go, plus, I really wanted to stay with her. So she went and did the documentation and all that, was legally married. Came back to our house and continued to live with me for several months (committing several unfaithful acts, thus nullifying her marriage, we were dating and the other male knew about it) anyway, he wouldn't quit trying to convince her that I was not the person for her and slowly ruined our relationship because I couldn't stand that she let him say all of these hurtful things about me. We eventually broke up and I was forced to move away and work my *** off to make a living, worst couple months of my life. He was shipped out to South Korea and they are both gaining benefits while she is still "cheating" on him, and on top of all this she has porn videos on the internet, and she is a cam girl basically full time. I am wondering if there is anyway to gain reparations for all of this BS and end their marriage. It has brought great hardship to me and I have several witnesses and proof that she never lived with him the whole time, she lived with me until she moved in with her sister. Someone please help me out here