An Evans City man was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of misappropriating more than $34,000 from a disabled veteran.

Robert Bruce Ralston, 75, was indicted on a charge of misappropriation by a fiduciary, according to U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung.

From March 2017 to March 2018, Ralston, who was the appointed fiduciary for a disabled veteran, caused approximately 44 unauthorized withdrawals by check from the disabled veteran’s beneficiary account and transferred the money from these checks to himself. The checks totaled $34,411.77, according to Chung.

The defendant used the money to pay his phone bills, medical bills and mortgage payments in violation of the defendant’s role and responsibilities as a fiduciary, Chung said.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.