Vinsons receive five-year probation for $120,000 embezzlement of veteran's funds
Federal judge Jeffrey Beaverstock spared the Grand Bay couple prison time but ordered restitution for the money they used for personal benefit.
By Beatriz Bailey ·
William Jonas Vinson and his wife Deanne Naman Vinson walked out of federal court in Mobile on Monday with a five-year probation sentence. Chief U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Beaverstock handed down the ruling after the couple faced up to 10 years in prison for their March conviction. The judge deemed the probationary period sufficient for the two residents of Grand Bay.
The couple’s legal troubles stem from their management of funds for William Vinson’s brother-in-law, a disabled veteran. The Department of Veterans Affairs had appointed the brother as a fiduciary after the veteran suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device during service in Afghanistan. Prosecutors alleged the Vinsons diverted more than $120,000 from those accounts for their own personal use.
Defense attorney Dom Soto argued that the couple acted out of care rather than greed. He stated that William Vinson had no intent to steal and that the pair continued providing financial support to the veteran even after the charges were filed. Soto characterized the situation as a failure to keep accurate records rather than a calculated theft.
In a sentencing memorandum, Soto emphasized the need for strict liability and clear accounting standards for fiduciaries. He wrote that the case demonstrated the necessity of keeping accounts separate and providing adequate training. Soto described the Vinsons as individuals who championed their brother-in-law’s case before the VA bureaucracy and provided documented support that predated any substantial benefits.
The judge ordered both defendants to pay restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The final amount remains undetermined. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has sought $126,531 in restitution, a figure Soto strongly objected to during proceedings.
The ruling concludes the immediate legal process for the couple, who will now serve their probation under federal supervision. The restitution order stands as a pending financial obligation until the exact figure is finalized.
Source: WALA-TV
