A federal grand jury has indicted Michael Joyce, 53, and Sarah Joyce, also known as Sarah Shultis, 33, both formerly of Rochester, New York and now residing in New Jersey. The indictment charges them with theft of government funds, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, the indictment and a previously filed complaint state that in April 2016 Michael Joyce submitted disability compensation claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs for several conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and a back issue. After consultations and examinations, he was awarded a 100% disability rating for PTSD, 30% for TBI symptoms, and 40% for his back.
In February 2018, Michael Joyce applied for permanent and total disability status (PTD), which removes the need for ongoing re-evaluations and provides access to additional veteran benefits. In his application statement he wrote: “Every disability that I have either is the same but will not get better or has gotten worse.” He also stated that his PTSD had not improved and that he felt more housebound. He was granted PTD status in April 2018.
The couple applied in November 2017 for Sarah Joyce to receive payments as Michael Joyce’s caregiver through the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP). They claimed that Michael Joyce depended on her for basic daily tasks such as feeding, bathing, and dressing. Sarah Joyce was approved for these payments and received an initial retroactive payment of $8,345.82 before beginning monthly payments of $2,890.14. By March 2024 she had received over $250,000 from the program.
Investigators reviewed Michael Joyce’s Army personnel file and interviewed former members of his unit who reported inconsistencies with his claims. Unit members said he had never been deployed to a combat zone. Surveillance later documented him walking without difficulty or assistance, driving a car, climbing ladders, and shoveling snow.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General under Special Agent-in-Charge Amy Connelly and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector under Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher F. Algieri from the Northeast Field Office.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
