Re: Phoney Democrat Soldiers Rounded up & Arrested: Rush was Right Again !


"Arizona Bushwhacker" <ArizonaBushwhacker@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:hMsTi.26288$bL7.8284@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Holy ***! RUSH WAS RIGHT !

ABC NEws Video shows Phoney Soldiers arrested & jailed for fraud

Phony War Vets
A federal investigation cracks down on scam artists posing as military
heroes.
09/24/200
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3645227



http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2007/sep/operationstolenvalor.html

September 21, 2007

NORTHWEST CRACKDOWN ON FAKE VETERANS IN "OPERATION STOLEN VALOR"
Phony Vets Scam more than $1.4 Million and Damage Image of Honorable
Veterans
U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan today announced some of the results of
"Operation Stolen Valor," a year long effort to investigate and prosecute
those who lie about their military service for financial gain or other
reasons. Sullivan and Doug Carver, Special Agent in Charge of the Veteran's
Affairs Office of Inspector General detailed eight prosecutions in the
Veteran's Affairs Northwest Region in 2007.

"As a Vietnam Veteran, and the father of a decorated Army officer currently
serving, I feel very keenly the damage done by Jesse Macbeth and these other
fakes," said Jeff Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of
Washington. "Macbeth's lies fueled hostility to our servicemen in Iraq and
here at home. Those who falsely claim medals for heroism, cheapen the
recognition of our true war heroes."

"The 'phony war hero phenomenon' plagues the American landscape and
tarnishes the service of thousands of veterans who have served honorably. It
strangles VA resources from providing critical care and benefits to
deserving veterans returning from war," said Douglas J. Carver, Special
Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General, Western Field Office.
"It all boils downs to this: these phonies submit claims to the VA for
compensation and medical benefits they are not entitled to, and it takes
away valuable resources from those who are entitled."

In a dozen cases under investigation in the northwest, the fraud totals more
than $1.4 million. Eight of the cases have been publicly filed and are in
various stages of being adjudicated:

*Jesse Macbeth, 23, Tacoma, Washington, sentenced today in connection with
his fraudulent claims of military service. Macbeth sought medical benefits
claiming to suffer from PTSD related to service in Iraq and Afghanistan, in
fact, Macbeth was discharged from the Army about a month after he joined.
Macbeth never traveled outside the U.S. with the Army. Macbeth duped
reporters, claiming to be a decorated Army Ranger who had witnessed war
crimes.

*Reggie Buddle, 60, Puyallup, Washington, sentenced July 30, 2007, for
Unlawful Wearing of United States Military Medals and Decorations. Buddle
posed as a decorated Marine Corps Chaplin presiding over weddings, funerals
and baptisms. Buddle was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and two
years of probation.



*Larry Lewis Porter, 52, Seattle, Washington, sentenced April 19, 2007, for
Mail Fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain disability
benefits from Veterans Affairs. Porter was sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Porter claimed he suffered PTSD from experiences in the Navy, however
investigation revealed the events were fabricated. Loss Amount: $134,000

*Roy J. Scott, 71, of Port Angeles, Washington pleaded guilty August 31,
2007, to Use of an Altered Military Discharge Certificate to obtain VA
Compensation and Medical Benefits, and Unlawful Wearing of United States
Military Medals and Decorations. Scott claimed he had served in the Marine
Corps in Korea, that he was wounded in combat in Korea, and that he had been
awarded the Korea Defense Medal, Korea Star Medal, and a Purple Heart (due
to alleged gun shot wounds sustained during combat in Korea). Scott claimed
to be honorably discharged, when in fact, he never earned those medals,
never served in Korea or any foreign country and was Court-Martialed out of
the Marine Corps. Loss Amount: $21,960.

*Merrick K. Hersey, 64, of Vancouver, Washington, Hersey was indicted August
1, 2007, for Use and Possession of Forged or Altered Military Discharge
Certificate and False Statements. Hersey is a fugitive and is being sought
by law enforcement. Hersey applied for benefits claiming he served in
1967-68, was awarded two Purple Hearts (for wounds sustained in active
combat) and the Bronze Star (awarded for heroism). Hersey claimed he
suffered from PTSD and sought benefits. In fact, Hersey never served in the
Marine Corps at all. Loss Amount: $2,688.

*Michael D. Heit, 58, of Harrington, Washington, pleaded guilty yesterday
(September 20, 2007) in U.S. District Court in Spokane, Washington to Use
and Possession of a Forged or Altered Military Discharge Certificate and
False Claims of Military Medals. Heit claimed he was a Vietnam vet who was
held as a prisoner of war. He claimed to have been awarded three Purple
Heart medals and the Silver Star. None of that is true. Loss Amount: $3,500

*Elvin J. Swisher, 70, of Idaho, is charged with Wearing Unauthorized
Military Medals, False Statements, and Theft of Government Funds. Swisher
falsely claimed he was wounded in Korea and that he had been awarded the
Silver Star, Purple Heart and other medals for valor. Loss Amount: $95,000.

*Carlos Riosvalle, 83, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced April 9, 2007, in
Multnomah County for multiple counts of Theft by Deception. Riosvalle
collected benefits claiming to have been "shot down while a pilot in World
War II." In fact Riosvalle never served in the armed forces. Loss Amount:
$22,818.

These cases were all investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of
Inspector General VA-OIG. The VA Office of the Inspector General operates a
HOTLINE for the public to confidentially and safely report crimes like
"Stolen Valor" involving VA or its programs. Call 800-488-8244, or fax to
202-565-7936, or e-mail to vaoighotline@xxxxxx, or write to VA OIG HOTLINE,
PO Box 50410, Washington, DC 20091-0410.

The cases filed in the Western District of Washington are being prosecuted
by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman. For additional
information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the
United States Attorney's Office, at (206) 553-4110.






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