The Shocking Fraud Scheme of Josephine Perez-Gorda

Josephine Perez-Gorda, a Dripping Springs woman, recently had her convictions and prison sentence affirmed by a federal appeals court. Her deceitful actions involved fabricating her Army veteran husband’s wartime injuries as part of an elaborate fraud scheme that spanned several years.

Despite her appeal being denied, Perez-Gorda continues to serve her federal prison sentence after being convicted on 18 charges, including wire fraud, making false statements related to healthcare matters, and theft of government funds. The court’s decision upholds the justice served to this deceptive individual.

For nearly six years, from 2011 to 2017, Perez-Gorda misled federal agencies by falsely claiming that her husband, Army Specialist Justin Perez-Gorda, was paralyzed from the belly button down. However, investigations revealed that Justin only suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan in early 2011.

The couple went as far as submitting paperwork to Veterans Affairs and Social Security, stating that Justin had lost the use of his lower extremities. Shockingly, footage obtained by federal investigators showed Justin walking, disproving their claims of his paralysis.

Tragically, Justin Perez-Gorda passed away while in federal custody in Missouri while awaiting trial in early 2022. His death added another layer of complexity to the case, shedding light on the heartbreaking consequences of Josephine’s actions.

Currently serving her sentence at a federal prison camp in Bryan, Texas, Perez-Gorda is scheduled to be released in June 2026. Despite her impending release, the impact of her fraudulent scheme will be felt for years to come.

In a particularly egregious act, Perez-Gorda had requested a car through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for her husband’s mobility needs, only to trade it in for a lavish Cadillac Escalade that lacked the necessary adaptive equipment. This selfish and deceitful behavior further emphasized the extent of her deception.

As investigations proceeded, authorities attempted to seize a $110,000 truck owned by Josephine Perez-Gorda, only to discover it had been taken to Kentucky. After legal intervention, the truck was eventually returned, highlighting the lengths to which Perez-Gorda went to maintain her deceitful lifestyle.

The judge overseeing the trial noted Perez-Gorda’s audacity in purchasing the truck while the criminal case against her was ongoing and while she was represented by a court-appointed attorney. These actions underscore the manipulative nature of her fraudulent activities.

Josephine Perez-Gorda’s story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of deceit and fraud. It is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and honesty in all aspects of our lives.

For more in-depth reporting on similar cases, visit the KSAT Investigates page.