SAN DIEGO, California — Neery Velazquez, a 31-year-old San Diego resident, pleaded guilty in federal court to submitting nearly $250,000 in false travel claims while working at U.S. Customs and Border Protection detention facilities.
Velazquez, employed by a government contractor, admitted to a single count of False Claim and is set for sentencing on July 14, 2026, before District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. Contractor employees can request reimbursement for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses when on “Temporary Duty” travel more than 50 miles from their permanent home. Velazquez, initially hired in January 2020 as a “traveler” for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), moved his permanent residence to San Diego in 2021, rendering him ineligible for such reimbursements.
According to his plea agreement, Velazquez submitted approximately 35 monthly travel claims between 2021 and 2024, falsely asserting eligibility for reimbursement. He also forged documents, including a lease agreement and rental receipts, to inflate his expenses. In total, Velazquez submitted about $244,019.48 in false claims, with CBP reimbursing approximately $181,082.85 before discovering discrepancies…