APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Appleton man is accused of fraud after officials say he faked a disability in order to obtain thousands of dollars from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Court documents say Daniel Kososki, 53, received $150,000 in individual unemployablity benefits to which he was not entitled to.
Kososki faces charges of wire fraud and submitting a false statement.
Kososki served in the United States Army from November 1982 to June 1987.
Court documents read, “it was then he applied for and was awarded disability benefits for injuries stemming from a car accident in which he was the passenger while on active duty.”
Kososki continued to apply for IU benefits based on a claim that head trauma caused from the car accident gave him severe headaches and prevented him from working, court documents say.
According to various VA forms, Kososki said his headaches caused depression and anxiety, and stated he had not worked since Oct. 2005.
Investigators say they found evidence that Kososki had worked as an independent contractor for a branch of Harbor Investments in Appleton from March 2006 to May 2008.
Investigators learned Koskoski’s employment ended because of a business dispute and not a injury or illness.
Court records say between 2008 and 2016, Kososki had been operating and managing a Packers-themed bar, “Coconutz” in Costa Rica.
Court documents say Kososki paid approximately $20,000 towards the purchase price of the bar and his friend and business partner paid $160,000.
In August of 2017, Kososki submitted a written statement to the VA acknowledging he owned a small percentage of a bar in Costa Rica but never worked there.
If convicted on all charges, Kososki could face up to 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.
Kososki is due back in federal court in Milwaukee Dec. 20.
