Oregon Woman Admits to Siphoning $1.7 Million from Veterans’ Funds for Crystals and Personal Splurges

A Dayton woman has pleaded guilty to transferring more than $1.7 million from the Department of Oregon Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) into her bank accounts.

Misused Her Position to Access the Bank Accounts of Veterans

Cheryl Elizabeth Campos (61), was the Quartermaster of the VFW when she committed wire fraud between January 2022 and June 2024. According to court records, she misused her position to access the bank accounts of veterans and illegally transfer large amounts of money into her private accounts.

Records reveal that Campos falsified accounting records, financial documents, and bank statements to conceal her unauthorized wire transfers.

Apart from personal expenses that included the purchase of a vehicle and credit card payments, Campos used the money to purchase semi-precious stones, statues, rocks, crystals, and marbles.

She Will Pay restitution in Full to the VFW

As part of a plea agreement, Campos will forfeit property and proceeds derived illegally during her transactions and will pay restitution in full to the VFW before she is sentenced.

Campos will appear for sentencing on 8 July in the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland and faces a prison term of 20 years maximum, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release for three years.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and is prosecuted by Oregon Assistant U.S. Attorney, Robert S. Trisotto.