CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) founder Richard Rompala, 65, was sentenced to a total of 4 years in prison for exploiting elderly veterans and scamming the Department of Veterans Affairs out of approximately $20 million in fraudulent benefits. Additionally, SVAS must pay a maximum fine of $20,000.

“Rompala’s scheme preyed on veterans who were simply seeking help. Today’s sentence delivers justice and sends a clear message that fraud targeting veterans will not be tolerated.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

“This sentence reflects the VA OIG’s commitment to hold predatory claims companies and their representatives accountable for defrauding a system meant to serve our most vulnerable veterans. The VA OIG thanks the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.“

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

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.

On January 13, 2026, Richard Rompala pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of Attempted Engaging In Pattern Of Corrupt Activity (F3)
  • One count of Aggravated Theft (F3)
  • One count of Money Laundering (F3)
  • One count of Incomplete, False, and Fraudulent Returns (F5)
  • One count of Prohibited Acts and Practices (F5)
  • One count of Tampering With Records (F3)

He was sentenced to a total of four years in prison.

On January 13, 2026, Senior Veterans Administration Services (SVAS) pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of Engaging In Pattern Of Corrupt Activity (F2)
  • One count of Attempted Aggravated Theft (F2)
  • Two counts of Prohibited Acts and Practices (F5)
  • One count of Prohibited Acts and Practices (M1)

SVAS must pay a maximum fine of $20,000.