PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA — John Hunter Raines, 38, was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in federal prison for embezzling more than $6.7 million from his former employer, the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program (NIP). Raines had served as the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Director of the program, which provides compensation to families of infants who suffer brain or spinal cord injuries during birth.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that Raines, who oversaw the program’s finances—including managing approximately $650 million in investments as of 2023—used his position to steal funds over a period from January 2022 through October 2023. He initiated at least 59 wire transfers into his own bank accounts and used a program-issued debit card for personal expenses.
Raines spent the embezzled funds on a variety of luxury items and personal expenses, including purchasing multiple vehicles, eight luxury golf carts worth more than $160,000, and a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. He also spent over $100,000 on gambling at Virginia casinos, paid $29,000 to an intimate partner, and transferred tens of thousands of dollars into his wife’s account.
In addition to his lavish lifestyle, Raines spent more than $9,000 on private limousine services, invested in cryptocurrency, paid off student loans, and funded private jet travel amounting to over $125,000, including a $34,000 trip to Nashville, Tennessee. He also purchased over $19,000 in gold and silver bullion.
Raines pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering charges on October 8, 2024. His sentence reflects the extensive nature of his financial crimes, and he will serve time for his role in diverting millions of dollars from a program meant to support vulnerable families.
