In a verdict that has rattled the local education community, Quannah Fields Harris, 53, of Germantown, has been convicted of defrauding the GI Bill program for over $625,000. Running the Last Minute Cuts School of Barbering and Cosmetology in Memphis between 2014 and 2019, Harris was found guilty on October 29, 2025, of scamming federal funds designated to aid U.S. veterans transitioning back to civilian life. In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, the prosecution detailed that Harris falsely billed the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who either never attended the school or attended very few classes.
Despite veterans enrolled by her never returning to the school after initially signing up, Harris continued to invoice the government for their "attendance," perpetuating a falsehood that has grievously misdirected resources intended for the re-education of those having served their country. The school, unbeknownst to the enrolled veterans, turned out to be a façade offering no genuine instruction, as noted by the evidence brought forward during the trial. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant emphasized the commitment to "expose fraudulent schemes against the government, hold offenders accountable for their dishonest criminal conduct, and to recover ill-gotten proceeds on behalf of the United States." Acting as a significant breach of the public trust, this guilty verdict underscores the gravity of Harris's deceitful endeavors, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, with Nate Landkammer at the helm as Special Agent in Charge, reinforced the sentiment by declaring the safeguarding of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit funds a top priority. The collaborative investigative efforts of the VA-OIG and IRS Criminal Investigation, along with help from Veterans Benefits and Education Services, were crucial in bringing Harris's operations to light and achieving this conviction. "Our investigators are working diligently to ensure these programs are not exploited for financial gain and greed," Landkammer affirmed, leaving no doubt on the persistent vigilance by the agencies involved, as noted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jurisdiction over the sentencing, which could result in up to 45 years for Harris, falls under U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., with the date set for January 27, 2026. Trials such as this, while disheartening in the revelation of exploitation, serve as stark reminders and preventative measures against similar fraudulent activities. Acting Special Agent in Charge John Abram, from the IRS Criminal Investigation’s Charlotte Field Office, conveyed a stern warning: "This guilty verdict sends a clear message to those who attempt to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs," as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
