Update: Bilirakis bill aims to punish those who take advantage of veterans

TAMPA - It is illegal under federal law to charge a veteran for assistance in filing an initial claim for veterans’ benefits. But right now there is no criminal or financial penalty for doing so.

So now, Congressman Gus Bilirakis has filed a bill to address the existing laws shortcomings. The move comes after an ABC Action News Investigation uncovered some companies charging vets large illegal fees.

ABC Action News first uncovered the issue in May when we reported the family of an elderly World War Two veteran from Dunedin was charged thousands of dollars for help with filing for VA benefits to help offset the cost of assisted living.

"They said they normally charge about 35-hundred dollars but for me they would do it for 2000," Pat Snair told us at the time.

That violates federal law which requires only companies authorized by the VA can help veterans with the process and paperwork involved in filing for benefits and specifically bans anyone from charging a fee for assistance with a first time claim.

"I'm using your story to show the ranking member and the chairman of the Veterans Committee how big the problem is,” said Bilirakis. He said he was shocked after learning there is no teeth in the law.

He discovered Congress had inadvertently eliminated the criminal penalties from the law several years ago, making it nearly useless to prosecute lawbreakers . "They don't legally enforce, the VA, the prosecutors office. They need criminal penalties to go after these people," said Bilirakis.

So now, Bilirakis has filed HR 5648 which reinstates criminal penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees. Penalties include fines and up to a year in federal prison.

"It's a huge service you provided, but it's a huge problem nationwide and in our area in particular, because we have so many veterans,” Bilirakis said, adding he alone represents over a 100,000 veterans.

While Washington is full of partisan politics, this may be one issue that isn't. Bilirakis said he has gotten support from both Democrats and Republicans and expects that a law could be passed by the end of the year.