Stolen Valor--Real Wounded Marine Committed Suicide

UPDATE
Former Marine steals dead combat veteran's valor
WFAA
Tanya Eiserer
November 25, 2016

Casey Owens will always be a hero to his sister.

“There is the saying that all gave some, but some gave all,” says Lezleigh Owens Kleibrink of Trophy Club. “That was Casey.”

The Marine lost both legs when his Humvee hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq in 2004. For his bravery, he received the Purple Heart.

“Casey wasn't perfect but he stepped up,” she said. “That's what makes him a hero to me."

What really hurts her is knowing that a fellow Marine stole her late Casey's story of valor. It was Casey's fellow battle buddies who discovered Brandon Blackstone's web of deception.

“It took my breath away that someone would do something like that,” she says.

Blackstone recently pled guilty to felony counts related to the deception. He will be sentenced in February. He faces up to 21 years behind bars for his crimes.

For years, Blackstone had gone around the country talking about how he had been injured when a Humvee ran over a land mine. He claimed to have suffered a traumatic brain injury. He claimed he suffered leg and ankle injuries. He claimed he earned a Purple Heart.
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Marine admits lying about combat injury in Iraq to get free house, VA benefits
The Dallas Morning News
By Kevin Krause
Published: November 22, 2016

“These were supposed to be your brothers, and you steal valor from one of your brothers?” said Kleibrink, who lives in Trophy Club. “My mom and I just feel so sad for this guy. For someone to do this, you are not a Marine.”

Lezleigh Kleibrink, with a photo of her late brother, Casey Owens, called Blackstone's deception "a slap in the face."

(David Woo/Staff Photographer)

They were two Marines from Texas in western Iraq, taking part in some of the worst fighting in the early stages of the insurgency.

Both left the battlefield early — and ended up with Purple Hearts. But one didn’t earn it.

Casey Owens was critically injured and lost his legs when his Humvee hit an anti-tank mine. He committed suicide in 2014 after a decade of suffering from numerous surgeries, brain injury and severe pain.

Brandon Blackstone went home after about a month, his military records show. His medic said he got appendicitis and did not return. The Arlington man ended up in a Dallas federal courtroom last month, where he pleaded guilty to two felonies for claiming he was “blown up” in a Humvee in Iraq in order to profit personally.

Blackstone said in an online biography that he had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from Germany.

(Channel 4 News)

Owens’ Marine buddies say they believe Blackstone took key details of Owens’ combat injury and made them his own so he could bilk the government and charities out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Richard Reisz "Green Beret" Stolen Valor

14 News Investigation: Stolen Valor?
KXXV News
Posted by Jess Powers, Reporter
November 18th 2016

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE)
For six months, 14 News has been investigating a claim of stolen valor involving an Evansville business owner.

That's after several people contacted us, asking us to look into the matter.

Investigative reporter Jess Powers spent months acquiring documents and sifting through the information to get answers for you.

All of those documents are public records. Documents that help tell a tale, some may not want you to hear.

Veterans earn the right to wear the uniform. They have the right to display their earned patriotism.

When people falsify military claims or embellish their records, it's taken very seriously.

14 News received an email on May 20th titled "Stolen Valor".

The email claimed an Evansville business owner was portraying himself as a military veteran, but did not serve in the military.

The claims surround Richard Reisz, a man who previously identified himself to 14 News as the owner of the former Ground Zero Fitness.
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A Fallen Soldier's Parents Help Bust An Impostor

A Fallen Soldier's Parents Help Bust An Impostor - Stolen Valor Series.

Parents of Ryan Clark helped uncover the fraud.

Is It Still Stolen Valor if Senator Does It?

Mark Kirk campaign site falsely calls senator 'veteran' of Iraq war
CNN Digital Expansion DC Manu Raju
By Manu Raju, Senior Political Reporter
Updated 1306 GMT (2106 HKT) September 21, 2016

A once public, now private webpage on Mark Kirk's official campaign website touted his record on veterans' issues, Kirk was listed as a "veteran of the Iraq war."

(CNN)Sen. Mark Kirk's campaign falsely asserted on its website that the Illinois Republican was a veteran of the Iraq war, a misstatement that comes six years after exaggerations over his military record nearly cost him his state's Senate seat.

The Republican, now battling for a second term in a tight race in Illinois, stayed in the United States during the Iraq War when he served in the Navy Reserves. But on a public webpage on his official campaign website touting his record on veterans' issues, Kirk was listed as a "veteran of the Iraq war."

While Kirk campaign officials said it was a staff error, the issue resembles the controversy that nearly caused his 2010 Senate campaign to implode. Moreover, Kirk is now running for reelection against Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran who lost both of her legs during combat in Iraq.
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Not So Special Forces Veteran Charged With VA Fraud

Burke man accused of cheating VA gets bond
The News Herald
BY SHARON MCBRAYER Staff Writer
September 12, 2016

A Morganton man facing federal charges for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was released on bond Monday.

Roy Lee Ross Jr., a.k.a. Daniel Alfred Sullivan Jr., 64, of Morganton, received a $25,000 unsecured bond during his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court in Asheville. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and he asked for and was granted a court-appointed attorney, Fredilyn Sison.

Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell set conditions on Ross’ release but those conditions have been sealed by the court, according to federal documents.

The court also has sealed a pretrial report on Ross.

Ross was indicted in August on one count of executing a scheme to defraud a health benefit organization (the VA), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and two counts of making false statements in connection with the delivery of health care benefits by the VA, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also is charged with two counts of stealing from the VA, a charge has a potential maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine, and one count of a making false claim for travel benefits from the VA, which carries a potential maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine,

The initial indictment on him said Ross, who was discharged from the U.S. Army “Under Conditions Other Than Honorable,” started falsely representing himself to the VA Medical Center in Asheville as a U.S. Army veteran named “Daniel Alfred Sullivan Jr.” around June 2007. The indictment alleges Ross, as Sullivan, claimed that he had served in the Special Forces, that he had been wounded in combat and that he had been honorably discharged from the Army. The indictment goes on to say Ross claimed he was suffering from nightmares caused by his wartime service and his combat-related injuries.

Then in 2015, still claiming to be Daniel Sullivan, Ross filed a third claim for “increased evaluation,” claiming that he was suffering from cervical (neck) impairment and pain due to his injuries while on active duty.
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Stolen Valor: Iraq Veteran Collected Over $700,000 In Benefits

Veteran,48, lied about being injured in combat in Iraq to claim over $700,000 in disability benefits and a Purple Heart
DAILY MAIL
By REGINA F. GRAHAM FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED:25 August 2016

Darryl Lee Wright pleaded guilty to two counts 
of felony wire fraud earlier this year

A veteran in Washington state claimed over $700,000 in federal benefits after lying about being severely disabled.

Darryl Lee Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of felony wire fraud earlier this year for fabricating claims of disability and receiving payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The 48-year-old claimed that he was severely disabled from being wounded in combat in Iraq, and as a result, collected $751,400 in federal benefits.

Wright was found living well in Snoqualmie, dating two women simultaneously and working a steady job, despite claiming that he was incapacitated by wounds physical and psychological that he suffered in Iraq while serving in the Idaho National Guard in Iraq, Seattlepi.com reported.

He was caught telling a war story that wasn't true about his 2005 tour in Iraq.

In order to prove the lie, he created fake documents and pressured government workers in an effort to force his way into thousands of dollars of benefits that are meant to help Americans who were actually injured while serving.

Wright filed the bogus paperwork with the Army under the names of people he actually served with, Jennings said.
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From ABC News

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Army Deserter Charged With Fraud And Stolen Idenity

Man faces several charges linked to defrauding VA
Citizen Times
Abigail Margulis
August 19, 2016

He was then stationed in Hawaii and was ranked as a sergeant. Shortly later, he was determined to be absent without leave and was dropped from the military and classified as a deserter, according to court paperwork. He was discharged about a year later based on his AWOL/deserter status.

ASHEVILLE - An Army deserter is facing multiple federal charges for defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of more than $150,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Roy Lee Ross Jr., 64, is accused of receiving more than $150,000 in veteran benefits based on fraudulent service-connected disabilities claims and defrauding other VA programs, U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose announced Friday.

Ross was charged with one count of executing a scheme to defraud a health benefit organization (the VA), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces two counts of making false statements in connection with the delivery of health care benefits by the VA, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

He is also charged with two counts of stealing from the VA, a charge that levies a potential maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine, and one count of a making false claim for travel benefits from the VA, which carries a potential maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine.

He claimed he was Daniel Alfred Sullivan Jr. and had served in the U.S. military under that name in the special forces, had been wounded in combat, and had been honorably discharged from the Army, court paperwork says.
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Con Man Tricked Everyone Posing As Vietnam Veteran

Deputies: Man charged after falsely claiming he was a veteran
BY WHAM
August 11, 2016

After a two month investigation, Orleans County Sheriff's deputies said Skellen tricked the VFW Post in the Village of Holley into believing he was a vet, even rising to the position of post commander at one point.

Holley, N.Y. – An Orleans County man accused of posing as a Vietnam War veteran and reaping some financial benefits is facing felony charges.

Earl Skellen, 69, is charged with first degree scheme to defraud and fourth degree grand larceny.

The executive director of the Veterans Outreach Center is outraged by Skellen’s alleged actions.

"It’s an insult to the guys and gals who are currently serving overseas and everybody's who's given a little time of their life to our country," Executive Director Todd Baxter said.

Investigators found Skellen never served in Vietnam or any branch of the armed forces.
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Marine Gets Back Stolen Items and Idenity

Man accused of posing as Marine, stealing veteran’s ID caught in Montana
FOX 13 News Salt Lake City
Dora Scheidell
JULY 11, 2016

“My medals are intact, my service record is there, thank goodness. Pictures of my buddies who aren’t with us anymore. The whole time I had spent in the Marine Corps has been restored," Kurt Harris.

SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah veteran may finally get justice after a man claiming to be a fellow serviceman allegedly stole his military uniforms and medals last month.

“Just an expert con man,” said Marine Kurt Harris of Michael Manning, who he met at a Salt Lake City gym.

Aside from Harris’ military uniforms and medals, Manning is also accused of stealing Harris’ car and laptop.

Manning was arrested in Montana over the weekend.

“I received a phone call from the Missoula Police Department,” Harris said.

Harris learned that Manning had been staying with a girl in Montana that he had met online, but when his demeanor started changing, she Googled his name.
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Salt Lake City Marine Veteran Victim of Stolen Valor

Former Marine has uniform, medals stolen by man posing as fellow Marine vet
KSL News
By Nicole Vowell
Posted Jul 4th, 2016

The man who goes by the name of "Michael Manning," posing as a former Marine veteran. (KSL TV)

SALT LAKE CITY — With a decade of service fighting on the front lines, Marine veteran Kurt Harris was stationed all over the world.

“Dominican Republic, Africa, Ethiopia, Panama, Peru, Kuwait and Iraq,” said Harris.

About six months ago, Harris said he met a man who goes by the name of Michael Manning at a gym in downtown Salt Lake City.

“We became friends on the shared bond of being in the military together,” Harris said.

So this past week when his fellow "Marine" vet needed a place to stay, Harris opened his home without hesitation.

“I said, ‘Sure, my couch is open. You can crash there as long as you need,’” Harris said.

But he quickly discovered Manning had other plans.

“When those were gone, it just felt like the last decade was just robbed just right out from under me,” Harris said.

After being robbed, Harris took to Facebook. That's when the messages started rolling in. Harris found out he apparently wasn't the only one duped by dishonor.
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Ohio Women Stolen Valor Used Go Fund Me

Mansfield woman claimed she was a military veteran with cancer to solicit GoFundMe donations, prosecutors say
Cleveland.com
By Eric Heisig
June 30, 2016

Donations came from all over the country. The indictment says one person who lived in Adrian, Michigan gave $1,000.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Mansfield woman set up a GoFundMe page and claimed that she was a U.S. Marine in need of money for breast cancer treatments, despite the fact that she was never sick and never served in the military, according to a federal indictment.

Joyell "J.D." Riley, 41, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on a wire-fraud charge. An FBI investigation showed that 32 people sent a total of $3,515 to Riley after she set up the fundraising page in November 2014.

Riley represented herself on the site as a "highly decorated combat veteran" who served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, the indictment says. Prosecutors also say she tried to prove that she was a veteran by using white out to falsify a government form that says she was discharged from active military duty.
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Stolen Valor: Fake Arrested For Third Time

Man poses as Army veteran to get jobs Used forge document and Purple Heart license plate
ABC Action News
Erik Waxler
Jun 30, 2016

Records show Lang has been arrested twice before for the same thing.

Norm Giunta served in the Navy and, when he has the chance, he hires veterans to work for Bella Pool Service.

“If I can teach them a trade depending on their aptitude. We’ll move them up in pay as well as knowledge and give them more responsibility,” he said.

That’s why Guinta was glad to hire Stephen Lang, seen in his latest mug shot wearing a t-shirt that reads "veteran."

“He was in dire need of employment. And me being a veteran myself, I felt compelled to give him a shot,” Guinta said.

Guinta said Lang claimed to be an Army veteran who not only served in Afghanistan and Iraq but was injured in combat.

“He did show me his toe. It looked like it was quite deformed. He said that he also had two bullets logged in his spine,” he said.
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Cpl-Gunny Vietnam Veteran Decade of Deception Ends

Marine veteran wounded in Vietnam embellishes rank, medals earned
Tampa Bay Times
Howard Altman
June 10, 2016

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Wayne Ridgley is the center of attention during a Memorial Day ceremony on May 30 in Tampa. Ridgley wears ribbons that he did not earn and the stripes of a gunnery sergeant.

CHRIS URSO/TAMPA BAY TIMES

TAMPA — As he has for the last decade, the old Marine stood ramrod straight at the Memorial Day ceremony, a gunnery sergeant's stripes on the sleeves of his dress blue uniform, rows of ribbons on his chest signaling a host of medals for heroism in combat.

He brought his arm up in a slow salute as men and women attending the ceremony at American Legion USS Tampa Post 5 walked toward him carrying wreaths to honor those who died in war. The veterans saluted back. The civilians looked on with admiration.

But under a canopy, one veteran seethed.

"He's not a Gunny," said Gerard Abbett, using military slang for the rank on the Marine's sleeve. "He didn't receive any Silver Stars."

Abbett, who was wounded in Vietnam and received two Purple Heart medals, was right.

A check of his military records shows Wayne Ridgley, 68, never was a gunnery sergeant, never received any Silver Stars, and served only 14 months — not long enough to earn the 20 years worth of hash marks on his sleeve.

He is, however, a war hero. He lost a leg in Vietnam, received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V device for Valor, and was medically retired as a corporal.

Confronted with his real military record, Ridgley acknowledged his misrepresentation to the Tampa Bay Times, saying he did it to make himself and others feel that he was more important. He said he knew he would get caught someday. He said he won't do it again.

"I was enjoying it," Ridgley said. "It felt like I was somebody and I did it for a long time. I got a crazy notion in my head that maybe if I carried myself like this, I'd feel like a strong guy. One of the best ranks in the corps is gunnery sergeant. I lost it and kind of went looney over it."
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Stolen Valor: Service Dog Charity Head

DOG HANDLER ACCUSED OF FAKING VETERAN STATUS
ABC 13 News
June 9, 2016

The man was arrested Tuesday after the Veteran's Administration says Wolfe never served in the Air Force.

PHOENIX, AZ -- The head of a veteran's charity dealing with K9s has been accused of stolen valor.


Eric Wolfe has been charged with forgery after he allegedly lied about serving in the United States Air Force.

Wolfe was previously featured in the news for his work with veterans suffering from PTSD.

His various non-profit organizations assist veterans by continuing training with K9s.

Wolfe claimed he had suffered from PTSD himself after a deployment to Afghanistan as a canine bomb handler.

"Wolfe was previously featured in the news for his work with veterans suffering from PTSD.

His various non-profit organizations assist veterans by continuing training with K9s.

Wolfe claimed he had suffered from PTSD himself after a deployment to Afghanistan as a canine bomb handler."
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Just a thought but it would have been a lot better if the reporters did their jobs in the first place and made sure what he claimed was true before they gave him any publicity!

UK Walter Mitty Hunters Catch Fraud Before Invictus Games

Ex-soldier lied about being blown up by a bomb so he could 'look more of a catch' to women
Telegraph UK
Lydia Willgress
12 MAY 2016

Lorraine Richardson, whose son Matthew, 26, suffered severe injuries after a landmine explosion in Helmand seven years ago, told the Daily Record: "He should have admitted that this was all lies long before now.

A former soldier has admitted he lied about surviving a suicide attack carried out by a child in Afghanistan so he could "look more of a catch" to women.

Broxburn veteran Danny Hutchison returns from the 2015 Warrior Games in America lifting a bronze medal for British Armed Forces team. CREDIT: WEST LOTHIAN COURIER

Danny Hutchison told people he had been on a tour in the north of the country in 2008 when he was blown up by a bomb planted by a 12-year-old with a wheelbarrow.

The 43-year-old, from West Lothian, Scotland, posted pictures of a real attack to strengthen his story and was due to compete in the Invictus Games, a competition founded by Prince Harry for wounded servicemen and women, before he withdrew, citing health reasons.

His lies were uncovered in a blog post on The Walter Mitty Hunters Club - a website dedicated to exposing people who pose as soldiers - after a "concerned member of a well-known charity" tipped them off.
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Stolen Valor Airborne, Navy Seal, Pilot Colonel with the CIA?

STOLEN VALOR ALERT ! WALMART IN MARGATE FLORIDA

The Militaria Collecting Channel
Newest stolen valor in Margate, Florida! 

In a Walmart! Guy says he is a Colonel, CIA, Airborne, and a Navy SEAL! He has over 20 ribbons and random pins. This video was first posted by Jonathan Borrero on Facebook, this is a republication and is not being stolen. 

Thank you for viewing and let's find this man!!!

The guys also has a CIA Badge! Proves you can buy just about anything you want without having to actually pay for it!

"Decorated" Vietnam Veteran Faces Charges Under Stolen Valor

Feds charge Davenport man over medals, Stolen Valor 
Quad City Times
Barb Ickes
Updated 8 hrs ago

Following additional inquiries to the Army and Navy by a Times reporter, a military investigation of Brooks' service record commenced. Results indicated Brooks earned no Silver Stars, nor was he awarded any Purple Hearts.

A decorated Davenport Vietnam veteran is not as decorated as he has claimed, according to federal officials, and he now is facing a charge related to Stolen Valor.

One year ago, Bob Brooks told the Quad-City Times that his war record has been questioned for decades, even by his fellow veterans in Vietnam Veterans Quad-Cities Chapter 299. Although he long has been an active member of the chapter, Brooks was asked last year to resign from the group's Honor Guard and to step down from his role as a delegate to the national convention of Vietnam Veterans.

Brooks did not return phone calls seeking comment.

In a recent letter to members of Chapter 299, president Bill Albracht wrote, "This all came about after the conclusion of an ongoing investigation in reference to Brooks claiming numerous valor awards and military decorations that he never earned nor received. Although he did serve with distinction in Vietnam, he was never awarded the claimed 3 Silver Stars, 5 Purple Hearts."
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UK Walter Mitty Hunters Unmask Hundreds of Fakes

Vigilantes Unmask Hundreds Of Fake Veterans
The Walter Mitty Hunters Club tells Sky News that fake soldiers are an insult to those who have lost loves ones in combat.
Sky News
By Sean Dilley, Sky News Reporter
March 19, 2016

The vigilante group wants fake veterans to serve prison time

An online group of vigilantes who investigate army service records say they've unmasked more than 300 people who have exaggerated or entirely fabricated military service and honours.

The Walter Mitty Hunters Club HQ told Sky News: "It's an insult to all those who have worked hard, felt the pain, and in some cases, lost people close to them.

"There is also an abuse of charity resources, for example, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) charities where people will make up a service career to gain an advantage.

"In turn, the real people in need of help have to wait longer or don't get it at all. It's getting worse and needs to stop."

They argue that a US-style stolen valour law, where those wearing military uniforms for financial gain face prison time, would solve the problem.
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Stolen Valor Case Involves Marines and Mickey?

Skip Wells Foundation Severs Ties with Marines and Mickey Charity
BY WTVC
FEBRUARY 29TH 2016

Marietta, GA — Representatives of a foundation that raises money in the name of a July 16th shooting victim say they no longer wish to be associated with another charitable organization.

In the months since the death of Lance Corporal Skip Wells, the Skip Wells Foundation has worked hand in hand with the Marines and Mickey Foundation to help the charity raise money, but now they say questions about the founder's integrity have forced them to back out of the partnership.

In a post on Facebook, the Skip Wells Foundation announced it had "disassociated itself from any and all relationships with the Marines & Mickey foundation."

Marine Reconnaissance Foundation
on Sunday
STOLEN VALOR

This is one of the worst cases of stolen valor we have seen to date. John Simpson is the Founder of the Marines and Mickey Foundation.

Claimed to be a Recon Master Sergeant with 4 deployments to Afghanistan and a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. John Simpson claimed he was a Force Recon Marine with 2nd Recon Bn. He also claims he spent 20 years in the Marine Corps. None of which is true and has been verified.

LCpl Skipp Wells was killed in the Chattanooga, TN shooting on July 16th, 2015. After the attack John Simpson came along with the Marines and Mickey Foundation and took over $135,000 from the Mother of Lance Corporal Wells.

John Simpson was reduced to E-1 Private, and received a Bad Conduct Discharge from the Marines. His job specialty in the Marines before discharge was an Admin Clerk.

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Ex-Marine Getting Jail Time After Lying About Service

Former Marine who lied about service to get donations is sentenced to jail time
The Virginian-Pilot
By Jane Harper
12 hrs ago

When the charity obtained a copy of his record, it showed that Henry received a bad conduct discharge from the Marine Corps in 1998, the stipulation said. He was never in combat, received no commendations or medals, was not a K-9 handler and was not involved in a helicopter crash, which were all claims that he had made, the stipulation said.

A former Marine who lied about his military service to get assistance from a local charity was sentenced Wednesday to eight months in jail, according to a spokeswoman for the commonwealth’s attorney.
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