Four Pilots Allegedly Lied About Whether They Were Receiving Benefits From The Department Of Veterans Affairs For Medical Conditions

A federal grand jury indicted four airline pilots for making false statements to the government in FAA forms, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Special Agent in Charge James Wahleithner; and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Regional Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Dubsick.

In each case, the pilots are accused of submitting forms to the FAA that deny the existence of medical conditions for which the pilots were receiving disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The defendants, Gregory James Chrisman, 57, of Burlingame, CA; Nicholas King Beyer, 32, of Discovery Bay, CA; Adam Roger Asleson, 39, of Peachtree, GA; and Walker Trent Grant, 36, of Fortuna, CA were charged in four separate indictments.  

Each defendant was arraigned and released on a $10,000 bond, and each was required to surrender his passport.  Asleson will make his next appearance on October 3, 2018, before the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Judge.  Grant will make his next appearance on September 19, 2018, before the Honorable Edward Chen, U.S. District Judge.  Beyer will make his next appearance before Judge Breyer on October 3, 2018.  Chrisman will make his next appearance on September 25, 2018, before the Honorable Vince Chhabria, United States District Judge.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution for each violation. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence.

(Source: Department of Justice news release)

FMI: www.justice.com