[antimedia] antimedia: While we're on the subject....

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Posted by antimedia:
While we're on the subject....
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1191468162.shtml


   ....of phony soldiers, eight more [1]have been convicted or are in the
   process of being adjudicated.
   Here's a list of the scumbags that are already on the hook.

     *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 âshot
     down while a pilot in World War II.â In fact Riosvalle never served
     in the armed forces. Loss Amount: $22,818.

   It's time for all US attorneys to start investigating the fake
   warriors that are scattered all over this country. They steal from
   deserving vets and denigrate the good name and honor of men and women
   who have paid the ultimate price in combat. Nothing is more
   despicable.
   It's bad enough that we have members of Congress who have lied about
   their service and/or inflated their records for personal political
   gain. (Tom Harkin, John Kerry, John Murtha and Max Cleland, to name a
   few.) Their examples encourage others to lie as well.

References

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