Bragg soldier accused in travel voucher embezzlement scheme

Federal authorities have accused a Fort Bragg soldier of masterminding a scheme to file phony travel vouchers to embezzle almost $750,000.

Posted 4:37 p.m. Aug 8, 2011 — Updated 4:37 p.m. Aug 8, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal authorities have accused a Fort Bragg soldier of masterminding a scheme to file phony travel vouchers to embezzle almost $750,000.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed a criminal information against Richard T. Kelley II, who reviews and approves Defense Travel System vouchers at Fort Bragg to reimburse soldiers for travel expenses.

A criminal information often signals that a plea agreement has been reached before a case has been presented to a grand jury.

The information charges Kelley with criminal conspiracy and embezzlement, alleging that he and other soldiers filed fraudulent or inflated vouchers between January 2009 and April 2010. Eighteen fake vouchers cost the U.S. $737,925, according to court documents.

Prosecutors plan to seize nine vehicles, land in Lillington and $648,776 in cash from Kelley to settle claims against him, court records state.

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