Memphis woman gets eight-year federal sentence for $2.9 million fraud involving GI Bill benefits
Federal court orders prison term and restitution in Veterans Affairs education-benefits case
A Memphis woman was sentenced this week to eight years in federal prison after a jury convicted her of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of more than $2.9 million through a scheme tied to GI Bill education benefits.
On Feb. 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. imposed a 96-month sentence on Quannah Fields Harris, 53, and ordered her to pay $2,905,853.09 in restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The sentence followed Harris’ October 2025 jury-trial conviction on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and wire fraud.
How the scheme was described in court
Evidence presented at trial and at sentencing centered on Harris’ ownership of Last Minute Cuts School of Barbering and Cosmetology, a Memphis barbering and cosmetology school located at 2195 South Third Street. Prosecutors said Harris owned the school from 2014 to 2019 and used it as the vehicle for fraudulent billing to the VA.
The case focused on claims submitted for veterans enrolled as students. In court, the government alleged that Harris billed the VA for dozens of veterans who attended few classes, if any, and who received no instruction, completed no practical exercises, and took no tests or exams. The veterans referenced in the case were described as never obtaining a state barbering or cosmetology license, despite billing that reflected continued attendance. Prosecutors further alleged that many of the veterans did not return after the day they were enrolled, while the school continued to bill the VA for years.
Key verified details
- Sentence: 96 months in federal prison, imposed Feb. 2, 2026
- Restitution: $2,905,853.09 ordered payable to the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Convictions: conspiracy to defraud the United States and wire fraud, returned by a jury in October 2025
- Program impacted: Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits administered by the VA
- Business at issue: Last Minute Cuts School of Barbering and Cosmetology, 2195 South Third Street, Memphis
Federal authorities emphasized that the GI Bill is intended to help veterans build vocational skills and that false billing siphons resources from programs designed for eligible service members.
Investigation and prosecution
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Education Service. The case was prosecuted in the Western District of Tennessee by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin.
Harris will serve her sentence in the federal system, where parole is not available.