National Guard Technician Charged with Embezzlement

A field technician for the Iowa National Guard faces federal fraud charges after U.S. authorities say he manipulated a computerized pay system to improperly funnel nearly $60,000 into his own account.

David William Palmer faces one count of embezzling public money and 15 counts of wire fraud, according to the Des Moines Register. Court papers allege that Palmer manipulated a U.S. Department of Defense pay system to create $59,267 worth of overpayments in four types of allowances paid to soldiers. The money was allegedly deposited by wire into his personal bank account.

The newspaper says the Iowa National Guard did not immediately respond to a request to confirm Palmer’s status with the military.