U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced Wednesday that Everett J. Alleman Jr., 71, of Franklinton, was charged by way of a Bill of Information with one count of theft of government funds.

According to the charging document, Alleman knowingly stole money of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs that did not belong to him, in excess of $1,000. As a result, Alleman faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release. The matter has been allotted to U.S. District Judge Africk.

Evans reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Evans praised the work of the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General for their investigation of the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.