Probe sought in unsubmitted vets' benefits

After adding 31 new cases of unsubmitted veterans' applications for benefits to the nearly 100 announced last month, Nassau County Monday called for criminal investigations into the actions of the previous head of Nassau's Veterans Services Agency.

While most of the applications were submitted from 2008 to 2010, a few went back to 2005, said county officials. They have asked Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate.

Chris Munzing, a Rice spokesman, said the request is "being reviewed by the Public Corruption Bureau." The Justice Department declined to comment.

The charges raised at the news conference Monday stemmed from a county investigation that resulted in the resignation of a longtime veterans counselor in June. Robert Spicer, who had worked at the agency since 1996, allegedly failed to submit 97 benefits claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Most of the documents, including forms for widows' benefits, were found in April, filled out and sitting in two cardboard boxes near Spicer's desk, said Michael Kilbride Sr., director of the five-person agency since February.

Legis. Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown) placed blame on past director Patrick Yngstrom.

But Yngstrom, reached at his home, said he was one of three directors since 2005. Yngstrom said he "did not handle applications nor was it in my job description to monitor counselors' offices on a day-to-day basis for applications."

Fred Kastner, 67, of Levittown, a Vietnam War veteran who said he has heart problems from his contact with the chemical Agent Orange, said he filed his papers with the Nassau office in January 2010. "By September, my papers still weren't filed," Kastner said. "I am owed my service-related benefits, and I am angry."