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Ex-recruiter settles US govt lawsuit for $15,000
A former National Guard recruiting assistant has agreed to settle her case with the Army National Guard for $15,000.
Ana Maria A. Mendiola, who is accused of defrauding the Army National Guard by claiming to have nominated four potential soldiers over a two-year period, agreed to make monthly payments over the next three years (36 payments) to satisfy the $15,000 settlement.
Mendiola and her counsel, Robert T. Torres, and assistant U.S. attorney Mikel W. Schwab informed the U.S. District Court for the NMI of the settlement on Monday. They will seek to have the U.S. civil lawsuit dismissed upon receipt of the settlement amount. Each party agrees to bear its own court costs and attorneys’ fees.
Under the deal, Mendiola will make payments but she does not admit to any criminal or wrongful behavior.
Schwab alleged in the civil complaint that Mendiola, who is a resident of Rota, received a total of $7,000 for the four fraudulently claimed potential soldiers.
The U.S. government is suing Mendiola for four counts of violation of False Claims Act, one count of unjust enrichment, and one count of payment by mistake.
Schwab asked the court to hold Mendiola liable to pay the U.S. government a total of $21,000 for damages, as well as penalties and court costs.
According to Schwab, from 2005 to 2012, the Army National Guard ran the Army National Guard Recruiting Assistance Program. Mendiola allegedly claimed to have recruited four soldiers and received cash incentives for doing so.
