CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS), SVAS founder, Richard Rompala, 64, and four SVAS employees, Carolina Riemer, 72, Karen Kral, 47, Gina Ayala, 61, and Mary Lou Griffin, 68, for exploiting elderly veterans and scamming the Department of Veterans Affairs out of approximately $20 million in fraudulent benefits.

“Defrauding the VA of $20 million by exploiting our veterans is despicable. These defendants rolled the dice believing they could get away with it. Thanks to the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, they lost the bet.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

“These indictments highlight the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s commitment to detect and investigate companies and individuals who prey on veterans for financial gain. The VA OIG appreciates the support of the Cuyahoga County Attorney’s Office for their dedication to protecting the integrity of VA’s programs.”

Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the VA OIG Central Field Office

“Hiding behind the flag while stealing from those who served under it isn’t just fraud — it’s disgraceful. My office is committed to protect our veterans from fraud and abuse, and investigate these schemes to make sure charitable dollars go where they’re truly intended.”

Ohio Attorney General David Yost

Richard Rompala founded the Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) to act as a charitable organization assisting veterans. SVAS would contact veterans, inform them of their free service, and let them know they are eligible for benefits – which they were not. SVAS would falsify documentation to make the veterans eligible and send the falsified documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs would provide SVAS with financial benefits. SVAS, through a separate entity, would either demand direct payment or a large percentage of the benefits before releasing the remainder to the veterans.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Commerce. On June 13, 2025, Richard Rompala was arrested by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Naples, Florida.

This case is part of Operation No VA SCAMs (No VA “Service-Connected Account Manipulation”), a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General in collaboration with federal and state prosecutors, including the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, to combat fraud and other unlawful conduct committed by predatory claims companies or individuals against veterans and VA. Entities involved in these schemes often are unaccredited and make false or fraudulent promises to obtain or increase a veteran’s VA benefits while demanding direct payment or a portion of the veteran’s benefits in exchange.

On June 10, 2025, Richard Rompala was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
  • One count of Conspiracy
  • One count of Aggravated Theft
  • One count of Telecommunications Fraud
  • Three counts of Prohibited Acts and Practices for Charities
  • Two counts of Tampering With Records
  • One count of Money Laundering
  • Seven counts of Filing Incomplete, False, and Fraudulent Returns
  • One count of Grand Theft

On June 10, 2025, Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
  • One count of Conspiracy
  • One count of Aggravated Theft
  • One count of Telecommunications Fraud
  • Three counts of Prohibited Acts and Practices for Charities
  • Two counts of Tampering With Records

On June 10, 2025, Carolina Riemer was indicted on the following charge:

  • One count of Attempted Receiving Stolen Property

On June 10, 2025, Karen Kral was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Engaging In A Pattern Of Corrupt Activity
  • One count of Conspiracy
  • One count of Aggravated Theft
  • One count of Telecommunications Fraud
  • Two counts of Tampering With Records

On June 10, 2025, Gina Ayala was indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Tampering With Records
  • One count of Receiving Stolen Property

On June 10, 2025, Mary Lou Griffin was indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Tampering With Records

They will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.