Latest "stolen-valor" stories

He wasn’t actually a Marine. He was a scammer in prison, police say

He reportedly even brought along his supposed dress blues, complete with a Purple Heart, on a trip to the alleged victim’s family cabin.

By Irene Loewenson

5 weeks ago

Woman who faked being cancer-stricken Marine gets 6 years in prison

A woman received a nearly six-year federal prison sentence for using stolen information to pose as a sick Marine and commit a “massive fraud scheme."

By Jonathan Lehrfeld

3 months ago

A major was kicked out for stealing narcotics. Then he took $820,000 from the Air Force.

For the past two years, former Air Force Maj. Brandon Bailey has been the subject of a federal investigation into a complex web of financial and bankruptcy fraud he spun over the course of a decade.

By Rachel S. Cohen

15 months ago

Fake SEAL who stole VA benefits sentenced to more than three years in prison

Richard Meleski, who never served one day in uniform, scored more than $300,000 in VA healthcare benefits and even jumped the eligibility line ahead of real veterans in need.

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

21 months ago

Montana high court cancels parole conditions in stolen valor case

The two men appealed the conditions last year. American Civil Liberties Union of Montana had called the conditions degrading and unconstitutional.

2 years ago

California man posing as a combat-injured Marine found guilty for receiving $195,000 in medical benefits

A California man who falsely claimed to be a combat-injured Marine with two Purple Hearts so he could receive medical and housing benefits was sentenced federal prison on Thursday.

By Jared Morgan

3 years ago