David Duren, also known as Dawud Hakiem Duren, a 49-year-old program manager from Haverhill, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme to steal nearly $73,000 from a nonprofit health care provider. Duren was employed by the nonprofit, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, which administered a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for suicide prevention services for at-risk veterans.
At the time of the crime, Duren oversaw a program funded by the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant, which was intended to help veterans struggling with mental health issues. As part of the fraud, Duren recommended hiring a faith-based organization, the E3 Foundation, to provide services covered by the grant. However, the E3 Foundation turned out to be a shell company, and the so-called leader, “Dr. Michael Rapp,” was a fictitious character.
Duren fraudulently obtained nearly $50,000 in grant funds and attempted to misappropriate an additional $24,000. The E3 Foundation did not provide any of the services or products that were invoiced. Duren attempted to conceal his actions after the fraud was uncovered. For instance, he sent a falsified document of notes from a supposed meeting with Dr. Rapp, but metadata showed that the document had been created a month after the supposed meeting date.
In his interview with law enforcement, Duren claimed that the funds he used for landscaping at his home were justified because it created a space “conducive to hosting veterans.” His past criminal record also includes a 2013 conviction for stealing more than $143,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense.
“This defendant is a recidivist fraudster who used a sophisticated scheme to steal money intended to help vulnerable veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “He spent the stolen money on items like a cruise, landscaping at his home, and even OnlyFans.com.”
This case highlights the ongoing issue of fraud involving programs meant to assist veterans, underscoring the need for careful oversight and accountability for funds intended to serve those who have served the country.
