Former Providence VA worker pushed for $5,000 ‘gratuity’ from veteran facing homelessness

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs worker pleaded guilty Tuesday to soliciting and accepting bribes from veterans to approve their benefits.

According to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom, Michael Darrah, 47, of Taunton, pleaded guilty to three counts of bribery and one count each of extortion, witness tampering and gratuity received by a public official.

In his capacity as a Providence VA service representative, Darrah took the bribes in exchange for approving dependent care and/or disability benefits.

He also claimed that he put victims’ money toward purchasing gift cards for other VA employees who assisted him in these actions.

Darrah sought and accepted amounts of $3,385, $2,700 and $16,566 from three respective veterans to expedite and approve benefits.

He also sought and accepted a “gratuity” of $5,000 from one of these veterans for using his position to lobby coworkers to expedite and approve claims.

Darrah sought out this payment despite being told that this veteran was facing a home foreclosure and homelessness.

After learning of the investigation into his actions, Darrah attempted to persuade a witness to refuse cooperation with investigators.

Darrah will be sentenced on October 14 by a federal district judge.