A New Jersey farrier is accused of stealing more than $62,000 from the government, according to United States Attorney Zane Memeger.
Herman Mokuau is charged with with one count of theft of government funds and one count of making a false statement or fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation.
Court documents state that between 2004 and June 2012 Mokuau received workman’s comp benefits despite earning a living as a farrier, which he failed to disclose. In 2005, Mokuau was elected president of the southern chapter of the Garden State Horseshoers Association.
Prosecutors state Mokuau was ineligible to receive $62,615.39 in workers’ compensation benefits.
Mokuau faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail, three years of probation, restitution and a $500,000 fine if he is convicted.
