Two southern Michigan residents have pleaded guilty to participating in a multi-year, interstate conspiracy to traffic diabetic test strips stolen from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Authorities announced Wednesday that Jennifer Robertson, 52, of Battle Creek, and Michelle McAllister, 56, of Jerome, pled guilty to charges involving the sale of more than $400,000 worth of diabetic test strips to a Pennsylvania man, Steven Anderson. Anderson faces federal charges for related crimes.
“My office takes government theft very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, for the Western District of Michigan. “Thefts from VA medical centers deprive other veterans of needed medical care and resources. My office is dedicated to serving and protecting our nation’s veterans.”
According to their plea agreements, Robertson spent over 20 years in procurement for the Battle Creek VA Pharmacy, where she was responsible for ordering supplies for veterans in need of medical care. In June 2017, Robertson stole 10 boxes of diabetic test strips from the pharmacy’s inventory, and arranged online to meet McAllister and sell them for cash.
After completing that transaction and several similar ones, McAllister realized that Robertson’s test strips were stolen, but decided to keep buying from her. She confided in Anderson that her “matra [sic] is not to ask too many questions.” Anderson replied: “Lol.” For over two years, Robertson and McAllister conducted hundreds of such transactions. Throughout the scheme, Robertson admitted stealing over 7,500 boxes of diabetic test strips, costing the Battle Creek VA Pharmacy over $400,000.
“The theft of medical supplies intended for our nation’s veterans is a grave offense. Such schemes erode public trust, steal from the taxpayer, and divert valuable resources away from those who have rightfully earned them,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “My office is resolved to investigate and root out anyone who would attempt to benefit from these fraudulent activities.”
This investigation was led by the Food and Drug Administration and the VA Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service.
