Technical sergeant reduced to senior airman for larceny, fraud

Published Dec. 7, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Rance and Capt. Thomas Alford
Air Force Flight Test Center Legal Office

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the conclusion of a court-martial held at Edwards Air Force Base Courthouse Dec. 1, a panel of five officers sentenced a Reserve technical sergeant from the 452nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, March Air Reserve Base.

Tech. Sgt. Gillian Gardner was found guilty of fraud against the United States, larceny of military property of an amount more than $500.00 and false official statement. Being found guilty of these charges makes her a convicted felon.

Airman Gardner repeatedly lied about her home of record, changing it on both active-duty orders and travel vouchers to collect per diem, travel reimbursement, and dry cleaning expenses.

In addition, the false address allowed her to collect excess base allowance for housing. In total, the member collected over $63,000.00 in government funds she was not rightfully entitled to over a period of approximately 18 months.

The panel sentenced her to a reduction to the rank of senior airman and forfeiture of $500.00 pay per month for 12 months. The stolen money will also be recouped from the member.

For more information on courts-martial, consult Air Force Instruction 51-201, the Manual for Courts-Martial, or call the Legal Office at 277-4310.