Feds: Mass. man, Maryland woman went to Orlando 31 times using government money
The two visited Disney World and hung out by the pool during business hours, authorities said.
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A Massachusetts man and a Maryland woman are facing multiple federal charges related to defrauding the government after they allegedly used government money to take over 30 trips together, including going to Disney World.
Thomas Bouchard, 57, of Uxbridge, and Chantelle Boyd, 50, of Woodsboro, Maryland, were arrested and are each facing one count each of conspiracy and 10 counts each of theft of government funds. Boyd is also facing an additional charge of false declarations before a grand jury, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts.
Back in 2014, Bouchard allegedly used his job as the contracting officer at the U.S. Army Natick contracting division, an organization that operates through the U.S. Department of Defense, to hire Boyd for a “no show” assistant’s position with Evolution Enterprise, a government contractor that Bouchard reportedly had a “long-standing relationship” with, the release said.
Between 2014 and 2018, Boyd allegedly “performed little if any useful function” for the company and reportedly cost the Department of Defense $490,000.
The two allegedly took “numerous” trips paid for by the government, including 31 trips to Orlando, as well as other places like Stafford, Virginia, and Clearwater Beach, Florida. The pair often stayed in the same hotel room, went to Disney World, and were at the pool during working hours, and Boyd “performed little if any work,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
To attempt to hide the activity, Bouchard allegedly “created false travel expenses for Boyd,” and Bouchard would reimburse her.
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