Bedridden in Las Vegas, Mexico and Jamaica

She claimed to be wheelchair-bound and collected $11,000 a month for 12 years — while vacationing abroad and buying a second home in Las Vegas. Her family billed VA as her caregivers while working other jobs. $1.1M stolen.

From July 2012 to October 2024, Lee-Carroll claimed paralysis in one leg and arm and said she needed round-the-clock care and a wheelchair to leave home. Investigators found she could walk and had use of both hands.

She collected more than $11,000 a month while traveling to Las Vegas, Tennessee, Mexico and Jamaica, and bought a second home in Las Vegas. Her sister and son were paid as her caregivers for hours when they were clocked in at other jobs — or when she was traveling without them.

Prosecutors acknowledged she qualified for some disability payments, but not at the level she claimed. All three pleaded guilty. The VA OIG investigated.

"She traveled on exotic vacations and purchased a second home in Las Vegas"
— U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington. Case file in the VA Fraud case files — part of the VA Fraud record. Cases are published as the courts decided them; amounts are stated as the Justice Department states them (billed, stolen, or ordered in restitution, as labeled).