Thanks Mom & Dad

[DeanC]

Parents charged with stealing from disabled soldier son

EAU CLAIRE, Wis.-- The parents of a soldier severely injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq are charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing from his guardianship accounts.

Authorities say 51 year old Lori Nault and her husband Michael, also 51, misappropriated at least $167k from accounts set up to care for their son Shane, who suffered major brain injuries while serving with the US Army in May of 2007. Shane's parents were named his guardians as he is unable to make sound decisions, and requires 24 hour care.

A criminal complaint says the Naults used large amounts of money set aside for Shane to gamble, buy a truck, and travel. That money came from government checks, military pay grants, insurance policies and funds raised through benefits and donations for Shane.

Forensic accountants found a number of additional accounts set up by Lori and Michael Nault, allegedly to divert and hide money. They also uncovered large ATM withdrawl receipts and copies of checks written at casinos in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and West Virginia.

The criminal complaint estimates the couple spent nearly $70k on gambling between 2007 and 2008.

The Naults told investigators they are unemployed. An audit by the forensic accountants shows that Shane's money was used to pay all of their living expenses in 2007 and 2008. While draining their son's accounts for their use, prosecutors say Michael and Lori Nault failed to pay Shane's bills.

If found guilty of felony theft, Michael and Lori Nault could each face ten years in prison, $25k in fines, or both.

[Tommy Gun]

That is just disgusting. I think I have just the place to put those two...

In this hole.

[hammAR]

I don't care if it is not the correct day............get a rope............

[1911fan]

skip the rope, wisconsin has plenty of log debarkers.....

[SAM]

I don't care if it is not the correct day............get a rope............

Or an axe !!

[45usp45]

I have a shovel.

[cobb]

Maybe staked on top of a fire ant nest for 24 hours?

[westberg]

Send them to Iraq to defuse IED's.

[GregM]

These scumbags should be locked up and put to work at the lowest possible wage until they have paid back every penny of the $167,000 they stole --- with interest.

[Tommy Gun]

These scumbags should be locked up and put to work at the lowest possible wage until they have paid back every penny of the $167,000 they stole --- with interest.

Then can we throw them in the sink hole?

[1911fan]

I also have to believe that the Casino's in some way, had to facilitate some of the money laundering or converting. They run checks on all sorts of "big losers" and can "suggest" ways to convert assets into cash for them to further lose.

[FJ540]

Did I mention I think we should institute caning here in the states?

[DeanC]

Update:

Parents sentenced for embezzling money from disabled soldier son

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- A northwestern Wisconsin couple will serve jail time for embezzling thousands of dollars ($167,000) from their disabled son who was wounded while serving in Iraq.

Michael and Lori Nault pleaded guilty and were sentenced on embezzlement charges in Eau Claire County Court Tuesday. Michael Nault was sentenced to seven months in jail -- or five months if he does 480 hours of community service. Lori Nault was sentenced to five months in jail or 480 hours of community service. She's their son's primary caregiver.

[Jeff Bergquist]

Update:

Lori Nault was sentenced to five months in jail or 480 hours of community service.

480 hours of community service? At (a very generous) $20 per hour that comes out to less than $10K worth of time. For participating in stealing $167K from her disabled vet son. Wow what a deterrent. I wish I could get half of $167K for 480 hours work.

[ex-LT]

Yep, nothing more than a slap on the wrist. They should also be required to pay restitution.