TUCSON, Ariz. -- A federal grand jury indicted a former Airman Aug. 24, following a multiagency investigation involving Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) Detachment 217 and several federal law enforcement partners.
According to the indictment, Davide Velarde was indicted for allegedly making materially false statements on background investigation forms to obtain employment with federal contractors supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Internal Revenue Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Velarde held positions with federal contractors supporting the IRS and NASA while still serving on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, the indictment read. Prosecutors allege he made false statements about when he planned to retire from military service.
After retiring from the Air Force, Velarde allegedly made additional false statements while applying for work with a NOAA contractor, including statements intended to conceal that he had previously been terminated from federal contract employment.
The indictment alleges Velarde earned approximately $466,708 in wages from the Air Force and federal contractors between Aug. 2021 and Oct. 2025. Federal law enforcement partners also highlighted the importance of protecting government hiring, contracting and taxpayer funds.
A conviction for making false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the AFOSI; NASA Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Department of War Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
“This is another great example of interagency efforts to stem fraudulent activity impacting entities across the federal government,” said Special Agent Richard Kautz, commander of AFOSI Det. 217. “This case highlights the ever-present commitment of the involved agencies to protecting the integrity of our hiring and employment practices.”
Editor’s note: An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.