A former benefits service representative from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Providence has admitted to a six-count indictment involving bribery, extortion, and witness tampering. Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the guilty plea of Michael Darrah, 47, from Taunton, Massachusetts.
Darrah solicited and accepted bribes from veterans and a family member to approve dependent care or disability benefits. He claimed some payments were for purchasing gift cards for other VA employees who could expedite claims.
The indictment detailed that Darrah received $3,385 from one veteran to expedite a disability claim. He also took $16,566 from another veteran for similar services. Additionally, he accepted $2,700 from a relative of a third veteran to fast-track their claim and demanded an extra “gratuity” of $5,000 despite knowing the veteran faced homelessness due to foreclosure.
Upon learning about the investigation into his actions, Darrah tried persuading a witness not to cooperate with authorities and instructed them to lie about payments made to him.
Darrah’s sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2025. A federal district judge will determine his sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter I. Roklan and Ly T. Chin are prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General with support from the FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Veterans Administration Police.
