"But years later, officials realized Van Meter and thousands of other veterans were not actually eligible for the bonuses they were given."

...

"As first reported by the Los Angeles Times, only soldiers with certain assignments -- for example, intelligence, civil affairs and some noncommissioned officer posts -- were supposed to get bonuses. But investigators uncovered rampant fraud and mismanagement by California Guard officials trying to meet enlistment targets."

In short, the soldiers were given bonuses they were not entitled to receive.