Media Coverage April 2009

May 3, 2009
The Editorial Board for the Northwest Arksas News did a GREAT editorial today on the problem of Stolen Valor and the need for the national DB called for in HR 666:

http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Editorial/73097/

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April  29, 2009  -   Benton County Daily Register

Overview of the Problem citing past cases: http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72972/

Gibson: http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72970/

Holland (with Photo): http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72971/

Both Men: http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72954/

FBI Sidebar: http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72956/  

 

Sheriff cancels deputy's commission of bailiff at center of Stolen Valor stories

By Tabatha Hunter | Benton County Daily Record

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009

BENTONVILLE — James ....Holland’s termination comes on the heals of a Daily Record report detailing his military career. In previous stories, Holland claimed to be an Army Ranger an a member of the Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets. Holland also stated he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star.....

Wednesday’s stories can be found at www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72971 and www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72954 .

Read tomorrow's Benton County Daily Record for all the details on this story!
Kentucky

Barnes co-sponsors measure to outlaw military medal fraud

House now considering legislation

By ERIC SNYDER • The Leaf-Chronicle • April 23, 2009

The state Senate approved legislation this week co-sponsored by District 22 Sen. Tim Barnes that would crack down on the false display of military service medals.

The legislation, also sponsored by Sen. Lowe Finney, would make it illegal "to falsely portray oneself as a military honoree by wearing or displaying a service medal," according to a news release from Barnes' office......
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0309/608956.html

Detective Sentenced To Prison For Stealing Guns


posted 03/31/09 1:14 pm

Muskogee - ....Kris Ledford of Broken Arrow was ......also charged with one count of 'Stolen Valor' for claiming to have won a Purple Heart and Bronze Star when he in fact had not. Ledford attempted to claim trauma from combat explained his criminal behavior....
 

MORE ARTICLES ON LEDFORD: 

April 11, 2009
AP: More POW claimants than actual POWs http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30168352//

GOOGLE FOR MORE SOURCES:
ALLEN G BREED AND CAYTON

POW? Questions nag Green Beret's exploits  ALLEN G BREED AND OTIS ASHLEY

Wounded vet's POW status in limbo ALLEN G BREED AND ANDREW YORK

http://www.lakecityreporter.com/articles/2009/04/12/news/doc49e16d131cdfa524365628.txt

Businessman: Military service statements false

 Documents show conflicts between claims and truth made by Gary Harris.

By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
Published: Sunday, April 12, 2009 6:09 AM EDT
FORT WHITE — Gary Harris, a businessman in Fort White, said he erred when he gave false statements about his military history to the media....
Harris said he misspoke when he claimed to have earned two Bronze Stars during an interview with the Lake City Reporter earlier this year......

Captain in Medals Flap to Retire
April 08, 2009
The Virginian-Pilot

An Army captain at Fort Monroe, Va., accused of wearing unearned combat medals will retire instead of being court-martialed on charges of fraud and conduct unbecoming an officer......

Huertas was charged in December with unauthorized wearing of multiple medals, including the 3rd Infantry Division combat patch and two Kuwait Liberation Medals -- one for service in Saudi Arabia, the other for service in Kuwait. All three stemmed from his service in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.....

Man Pleads Guilty in Huge VA Fraud Case
April 07, 2009
Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. - A former Idaho sheriff's deputy who falsely claimed he was paraplegic has pleaded guilty in a $1.5 million disability fraud case that a U.S. attorney said is the largest in Veterans Affairs Department history.

James M. Sebero accepted an agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty Monday to charges of wire fraud and making a false statement.....