CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — A Bridgeport woman has been sentenced to a year in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $350,000 back to the government following a theft investigation.
Christina Nolte, 42, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $355,179.33 in restitution to the government for the theft of public funds.
Nolte, a licensed physician assistant, falsified medical records to file for and receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. She used that classification to get $242,528 in federal student loans forgiven.
“By falsifying her medical records and exploiting programs meant to support our nation’s veterans, Ms. Nolte stole taxpayer funds and undermined systems designed to help those who served,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Matt Harvey. “We will continue to hold those who engage in benefits fraud accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.