Former DPHSS Employee Sentenced for Defrauding Assistance Programs
Hagåtña, Guam / Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Natasha Peredo Vitug, age 49, was sentenced to one month of imprisonment and 11 months home confinement. She was charged in the U.S. District Court of Guam with Theft Concerning Program Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A). The Court also ordered three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $149,944.84, and $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Defendants convicted of SNAP fraud are barred from further participation in the program.
Natasha Peredo Vitug was previously employed as an Eligibility Specialist at the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). In that role, Vitug was responsible for processing benefits applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits. During the time of her employment, Vitug exploited her position in order to unlawfully re-apply for Cash Assistance Program (CAP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the names of beneficiaries who had left Guam or terminated their participation in the programs.
“Taxpayers deserve accountability for funding that supports public programs,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Vitug’s corrupt conduct deprived the SNAP program of important resources. I applaud the efforts of law enforcement in bringing her to justice.”
“Ms. Vitug abused her position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds meant to help low-income families put food on the table,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David K. Porter. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated to protecting these programs, and we will pursue these investigations at all levels.”
This investigation was conducted by Guam DPHSS Investigation & Recovery Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.
Contact
Carmela Rapadas, Public Affairs Officer
Office: 671.472.7332 | Email: carmela.rapadas@usdoj.gov
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Districts of Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
