Crackdown on Phony Vets

[Tigermike 3,055]

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@va.gov, 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.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2007/s...tolenvalor.html

[AURaptor 1,126]

Don't tell Sen. Tom Harkin. He'll accuse the US Attorney of being high on drugs or some such!

[autiger4life 3]

Don't tell Sen. Tom Harkin. He'll accuse the US Attorney of being high on drugs or some such!

Yes, because prosecuting phony soldiers, and saying that soldiers who don't support the war are phony are the same thing.

You're an idiot AURaptor. Atleast TigerMike can back things up most of the time. You do your picture a disgrace.

[AURaptor 1,126]

Don't tell Sen. Tom Harkin. He'll accuse the US Attorney of being high on drugs or some such!

Yes, because prosecuting phony soldiers, and saying that soldiers who don't support the war are phony are the same thing.

You're an idiot AURaptor. Atleast TigerMike can back things up most of the time. You do your picture a disgrace.

The idiot hat belongs to you and those who distort what Rush said. Had he actually said those in uniform who don't support the war are " phony soldiers ", there's not a chance in hell I'd defend what he said. He never said, nor even implied any such thing, and it saddens me that so many are so gullible as to fall for this fabricated, trumped up assault on Rush's character. It's as if you're simply looking for a reason to attack him, and when nothing materializes, you jump on this horse $hit story simply because it's the best Media Matters and the far Left Hatriots have on the guy.

Reagan would have been very proud of Rush.

[autiger4life 3]

The idiot hat belongs to you and those who distort what Rush said. Had he actually said those in uniform who don't support the war are " phony soldiers ", there's not a chance in hell I'd defend what he said. He never said, nor even implied any such thing, and it saddens me that so many are so gullible as to fall for this fabricated, trumped up assault on Rush's character. It's as if you're simply looking for a reason to attack him, and when nothing materializes, you jump on this horse $hit story simply because it's the best Media Matters and the far Left Hatriots have on the guy.

Reagan would have been very proud of Rush.

No, he did not say that those who don't support the war are phony soldiers. It was implied, and his guest did say "the real soldiers want to be in Iraq, the real soldiers want to be fighting"

It saddens me that people listen to such a partisan hack who, while being a good businessman, creates lies and deception because that is where the money is.

And no, Reagan wouldn't have liked Rush, just as most Republicans don't because they know what he is.

Rush=Ann Coulter= Far right who can't be taken seriously

[AURaptor 1,126]

Reagan would have been very proud of Rush.

No, he did not say that those who don't support the war are phony soldiers. It was implied, and his guest did say "the real soldiers want to be in Iraq, the real soldiers want to be fighting"

It saddens me that people listen to such a partisan hack who, while being a good businessman, creates lies and deception because that is where the money is.

And no, Reagan wouldn't have liked Rush, just as most Republicans don't because they know what he is.

Rush=Ann Coulter= Far right who can't be taken seriously

There was no implication what so ever. That's where you lose the context of the entire show, when you only take snippets of it and omit the earlier comments from previous callers and /or remarks made days prior, and then interject your own revisionist twist on what WAS said, along with what WASN'T said. Real soldiers DO want to be doing their jobs, that's why they're soldiers. They might not agree w/the policy, but their job is to make it work, best as they can. The lies and deceptions being created here are solely by those on the Left, like Media Matters.

Despite what you think, many do take them seriously. Rush has the most listened to radio show of all time, and Ann Coulter does quite well at what she does, though I hardly see what she has to do w/ this conversation.

[AFTiger 282]

I have been looking for the words "Soldiers who don't support the war are phoney soleiers" spoken by Rush. They are not there. Rush never said those words so what is you deal Autiger4life. Why are you telling these lies? Are you a Moveon robot also?

[autiger4life 3]

I have been looking for the words "Soldiers who don't support the war are phoney soleiers" spoken by Rush. They are not there. Rush never said those words so what is you deal Autiger4life. Why are you telling these lies? Are you a Moveon robot also?

I know this is a difficult concept, but you can actually imply something without actually speaking those exact words. When a caller calls the show, says he is a republican and a soldier and does not support the war, then Rush says he can't be a republican and his next caller says that real soldiers want to be there and real soldiers want to fight, which Rush agrees with, then it IMPLIES that if a real soldier wants to be there, then someone who doesn't want to be there isn't a real soldier.

There was no implication what so ever. That's where you lose the context of the entire show, when you only take snippets of it and omit the earlier comments from previous callers and /or remarks made days prior, and then interject your own revisionist twist on what WAS said, along with what WASN'T said. Real soldiers DO want to be doing their jobs, that's why they're soldiers. They might not agree w/the policy, but their job is to make it work, best as they can. The lies and deceptions being created here are solely by those on the Left, like Media Matters.

Despite what you think, many do take them seriously. Rush has the most listened to radio show of all time, and Ann Coulter does quite well at what she does, though I hardly see what she has to do w/ this conversation.

There was an implication. I have read the entire transcript(that's right, meaning you can't use the, "you just get your stuff from media matters" line) I don't like media matters, don't support them and think they are just as bad as Rush is so don't try to pull that BS. Rush did imply that real soldiers support the war and want to be there. If it was unintentional then fine. I don't think it was, I think he just didn't realize how bad it sounded, but either way. There was the implication whether you want to admit to it or not. As far as Ann Coulter doing well, you're right she is doing well. I don't think that is a sign of anything since a lot of evil people do well in monetary forms. Her, Rush, and Fox News are smart with business and money because they know that they are really the only form of right media around so anyone on the right will watch them, thus getting over half the viewing audience. Once again though, just because a lot of people listen and like them, really doesn't mean a thing.

[Tiger Al 0]

I have been looking for the words "Soldiers who don't support the war are phoney soleiers" spoken by Rush. They are not there. Rush never said those words so what is you deal Autiger4life. Why are you telling these lies? Are you a Moveon robot also?

I know this is a difficult concept, but you can actually imply something without actually speaking those exact words. When a caller calls the show, says he is a republican and a soldier and does not support the war, then Rush says he can't be a republican and his next caller says that real soldiers want to be there and real soldiers want to fight, which Rush agrees with, then it IMPLIES that if a real soldier wants to be there, then someone who doesn't want to be there isn't a real soldier.

There was no implication what so ever. That's where you lose the context of the entire show, when you only take snippets of it and omit the earlier comments from previous callers and /or remarks made days prior, and then interject your own revisionist twist on what WAS said, along with what WASN'T said. Real soldiers DO want to be doing their jobs, that's why they're soldiers. They might not agree w/the policy, but their job is to make it work, best as they can. The lies and deceptions being created here are solely by those on the Left, like Media Matters.

Despite what you think, many do take them seriously. Rush has the most listened to radio show of all time, and Ann Coulter does quite well at what she does, though I hardly see what she has to do w/ this conversation.

There was an implication. I have read the entire transcript(that's right, meaning you can't use the, "you just get your stuff from media matters" line) I don't like media matters, don't support them and think they are just as bad as Rush is so don't try to pull that BS. Rush did imply that real soldiers support the war and want to be there. If it was unintentional then fine. I don't think it was, I think he just didn't realize how bad it sounded, but either way. There was the implication whether you want to admit to it or not. As far as Ann Coulter doing well, you're right she is doing well. I don't think that is a sign of anything since a lot of evil people do well in monetary forms. Her, Rush, and Fox News are smart with business and money because they know that they are really the only form of right media around so anyone on the right will watch them, thus getting over half the viewing audience. Once again though, just because a lot of people listen and like them, really doesn't mean a thing.

If they believe that the MM article, transcript and/or audio clip are erroneous, misleading, ambiguous, doctored, edited, omitted, added to, or in any other way wrong, they've been asked numerous times to provide one from the source of their choosing that they feel provides the "context" they feel is being left out. They haven't done it, yet, continue to beat the drum that "MediaMatters" is lying. As long as they assert that it exists they can continue to argue ad ignorantiam. It's like me telling you that there is someone sitting next to me that you can't see, hear, smell or feel and telling you to prove that he's not really there. You can't. Unfortunately, if I made the positive assertion that he IS there, the burden of proof lies with me, not you. They've made the positive assertion that the MediaMatters transcript is missing something, yet, they've offered nothing to support that claim except to "just believe them" that something's missing because MediaMatters is lying. It's a fallacious argument.

[AFTiger 282]

So you admit that he did not say it.

[AURaptor 1,126]

There was an implication. I have read the entire transcript(that's right, meaning you can't use the, "you just get your stuff from media matters" line) I don't like media matters, don't support them and think they are just as bad as Rush is so don't try to pull that BS. Rush did imply that real soldiers support the war and want to be there. If it was unintentional then fine. I don't think it was, I think he just didn't realize how bad it sounded, but either way. There was the implication whether you want to admit to it or not. As far as Ann Coulter doing well, you're right she is doing well. I don't think that is a sign of anything since a lot of evil people do well in monetary forms. Her, Rush, and Fox News are smart with business and money because they know that they are really the only form of right media around so anyone on the right will watch them, thus getting over half the viewing audience. Once again though, just because a lot of people listen and like them, really doesn't mean a thing.

Where'd you get the 'entire ' transcript? Show us, please. There was no 'implication', outside your own mind. Prove me wrong, show us " the full " transcript, and I'll ceed your point. But i'll not admit to that which isn't true, not to a hatched job by the Left, just as they tried to hatchet Rush w/ his comments on Michael J Fox.

Just because a lot of people listen to them, and not Air America sure as hell means something.

[autiger4life 3]

It was posted by Tiger in Spain in the forum about Rush and the phony soldier thread. I will admit that I took his word that it was the real but considering he wasn't on my side I figured it was okay.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

You didn't get that article from me. I haven't posted it.

[autiger4life 3]

I'm sorry Tiger in Spain, I was mistaken. It was Aft Tiger who posted it. Here is the link to the thread.

http://www.aunation.net/forums/index.php?s...1205&st=105