Feds nab VA cheaters in 'Operation Stolen Valor'
king5.com ^ | 09/21/07 | CHRIS INGALLS / KING 5 News

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_092107WAB_phony_vets_SW.f8aaca26.html

SEATTLE - On the Internet in an anti-war video, 23-year old Jesse Macbeth of Tacoma is seen claiming to be an ex-Army Ranger, ordered to kill women and children in Baghdad.

In an anti-war video, Jesse Macbeth of Tacoma is seen claiming to be an ex-Army Ranger, ordered to kill women and children in Baghdad. But on Friday in Seattle Federal Court, Macbeth admitted it was all a lie as he was sentenced to prison and mental health treatment for submitting false information to the Veteran's Administration.

In reality, the Army booted Macbeth after 44 days in basic training.

On Friday, Seattle's top federal prosecutor unveiled a crackdown on several war hero fraudsters.

Larry Porter recieved a quarter million dollars in VA benefits while faking post traumatic stress disorder.

Merrick Hersey wore medals, but never served, and Macbeth's videos live on as propaganda.

"Some of these stories were translated into Arabic and distributed to the Middle East'," said U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan.

Jesse Macbeth was sentenced to prison and mental health treatment for submitting false information to the Veteran's Administration.

The eight men profiled by federal authorities come from all walks of life and all American wars since World War II. most were after glory and money, in the form of VA benefits.

"What you see here represents approximately $1.4 million in loss to the VA in just these cases," said Veterans Affairs investigator Douglas Carver. "These benefits that they might receive are benefits that are denied someone else."

One of those men is Roy Scott, of Port Angeles, convicted last month. He was exposed by other Port Angeles Marines who doubted his stories of combat in Korea.

"When we started comparing notes with the guys that were there, it was then easy to pick him out as a fraud," said Terry Roth, Marine Corps League Port Angeles. "I still don't know why Roy did it. I've known him for over 10 years."

The author of the expose "Stolen Valor" says fraudsters do it because they can.

B.G. Burkett blames overwhelmed veterans agencies, lax regulations and poor record keeping, and says true heroes deserve better.

"Your rights are guaranteed by that American that went to Iraq - that went to Iwo Jima," said Burkett.

Besides Macbeth and Scott, the cases include:

- Reggie Buddle, 60, of Puyallup, who was sentenced to 500 hours of community service in July for posing as a decorated Marine Corps Chaplin and presiding over weddings, funerals and baptisms.

- Larry Lewis Porter, 52, of Seattle, who was sentenced to 37 months in April for mail fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain $134,000 in disability benefits. He pretended to have PTSD after serving in the Navy.

- Merrick K. Hersey, 64, of Vancouver, was indicted Aug. 1 on charges of using a forged discharge certificate to apply for benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder. A fugitive, Hersey cleaimed to have won a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

- Michael D. Heit, 58, of Harrington, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Spokane to using a forged discharge certificate and falsely claiming military medals in posing as a Vietnam vet.

- Elvin J. Swisher, 70, of Idaho, has been charged with taking $95,000 in unearned benefits and falsely posing as a veteran of the Korean War.

- Carlos Riosvalle, 83, of Portland, Ore., was sentenced in Multnomah County in April for multiple counts of theft by deception. He collected nearly $23,000 in benefits after claiming to have been shot down during World War II; in fact, he never served.

Agents are asking for the public's help exposing phonies. Call the VA's hotline at 1-800-488-8244.