Couple Took 31 Trips to Magic Kingdom on Taxpayers’ Dime, Federal Prosecutors Say
In a case that reads like a Disney villain’s plot gone awry, a U.S. Army contractor and his girlfriend have been convicted of defrauding the government of nearly half a million dollars to fund their magical escapes to Walt Disney World. The elaborate scheme, which spanned four years, has left federal prosecutors and taxpayers alike questioning the oversight of government contracts and travel expenses.
The Magic Kingdom caper
Thomas Bouchard, 61, a contractor with the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division in Massachusetts, along with his girlfriend Cantelle Boyd, 53, orchestrated a scheme that would make even Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders seem modest. The couple managed to take 31 trips to Walt Disney World in Florida, all while claiming they were on official government business.
Prosecutors allege that Bouchard leveraged his “long-standing relationship with government contractor Evolution Enterprise Inc.” to secure a position for Boyd as his assistant. This role, which paid Boyd a government salary of $487,658 over four years, reportedly involved “little if any useful function.”
The cost of magic
The Department of Defense bore the brunt of this fantastical fraud:
- $487,658 in salary for Boyd’s phantom position
- An additional $75,583 in travel expenses
- Total cost to taxpayers: over $490,000
The couple’s vacations ranged from two to 15 days, all conveniently scheduled during business hours. Their itinerary included:
- Hotel stays
- Pool lounging
- Disney park visits
- Trips to Virginia and other Florida locations
Bouchard allegedly concealed the true nature of these trips by falsifying and approving expense records for reimbursement.
Legal consequences
The fairy tale came to an end in July 2020 when federal authorities arrested the couple. Both pleaded guilty to:
- One count of conspiracy
- Ten counts of theft of government funds and false declarations
Bouchard received a sentence of one year and one day in prison, along with a restitution order of $487,658. Boyd was sentenced to six months of home confinement, with restitution to be determined “at a later date.”
Official response
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the betrayal of public trust, stating:
“Those of us who are privileged to work in public service owe a duty to the taxpayers to act with integrity at all times. This defendant clearly failed in adhering to this solemn oath and abused his position of trust to line his own pockets, hire a friend into a phantom position and enjoy junkets all on the taxpayer’s dime. He will now pay the price for his inexcusable conduct.”
Broader implications
This case raises serious questions about oversight in government contracting and the potential for abuse within the system. As taxpayers foot the bill for this couple’s Disney adventures, many are calling for stricter controls and more transparent accounting practices in government spending.
The tale of Bouchard and Boyd serves as a stark reminder that, even in the land where dreams come true, reality eventually catches up – especially when it’s at the expense of the American taxpayer.