Prosecute to the fullest: bringing dishonor, What do you say as leaders?

SFC A.M. Drake — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 01:50:55 -0500

SEATTLE — A former Idaho National Guard soldier who is also an official in the Washington city of Snoqualmie has been indicted on charges that he lied his way to a Purple Heart and more than $250,000 in government benefits.

Investigators wrote that in claims for benefits, Darryl Lee Wright said that because of an injury suffered in Iraq, he was unable to tie his shoes, prepare meals or pay attention to anything for more than five to 10 seconds.

In reality, he's the chairman of the planning commission in Snoqualmie, a former City Council candidate, a high school basketball coach and a rec league basketball player, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court in Tacoma.

Some of the money was spent on homes, cars, travel and a country club membership, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Wright pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Thursday to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud and making false statements, and he was released with conditions pending a trial set for March.

A voice message left at the home he shares with his partner, Snoqualmie City Councilwoman Heather Munden, was not immediately returned to The Associated Press.

"You could certainly say that we'll be contesting the charges," said his attorney, Christopher Black. "I don't want to get into any specifics, though."

Wright's sister, Karen M. Bevens, of Duvall, was also charged. She's accused of receiving payments as his supposed caregiver. Together, they were bringing in more than $10,300 per month in fraudulently obtained benefits, the indictment said.

It wasn't immediately clear if Bevens had obtained a lawyer. She is due in court next week.

Prosecutors alleged that the scheme dated to 2005, when there was a small explosion about 100 yards from where Wright and other soldiers were standing. Days later, Wright requested that he be awarded a "combat action badge," though he noted in his written account that there was no damage or casualties from the blast.

During the next several months, he continued to press for the badge — changing the story to say that he had come under enemy rocket attack, prosecutors said.

"Darryl Lee Wright falsely stated that he was 'violently thrown and knocked unconscious from the percussion of the rockets' impact,' " the indictment said.

In supporting documentation, Wright submitted a picture of a destroyed military vehicle with a handwritten note saying it was his — even though the vehicle had nothing to do with the event in question, the indictment said.

The Army eventually did award the combat action badge. In 2011, it gave him a Purple Heart at his request, signifying that he had been wounded by an enemy in combat.

Wright applied for disability payments through Social Security beginning in 2010, claiming he couldn't work, could only walk short distances, that he used a cane and that he was frightened of traffic and crowds, prosecutors said. He claimed to need a full-time caregiver, and his sister was paid for that work, they said.

Meanwhile, he is also accused of receiving unemployment benefits from the state, falsely claiming that he was looking for work.

Wright filed to run for Snoqualmie City Council in 2013, but dropped out when Munden entered the race.

Snoqualmie Mayor Matthew Larson said Thursday that Wright was appointed to the volunteer planning commission in 2010. About six months ago, investigators came around asking questions about him, Larson said.

"I thought it was a security clearance issue until they indicated at the end it might have to do with some fraudulent activity," Larson said. "I asked Darryl about it some weeks later. He kind of indicated it would blow over."

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 30 at 2015 2:09 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 02:09:32 -0500

We have to many of these, some embellish to get more, some outright lie to get what others are not receiving but deserve.

There are those who had 50% and made it a point to get 100% out of principle, it took some years but they reached it. It makes me so angry they have nothing wrong with them but a popped knee from serving in the cold war period and get the 100%, my SF buddy has two purple hearts and a screwed up back and only has 30% and he is embarrassed to tell anyone becasue he feels he did his job and it was voluntary so he has no right complaining.

Then there are those who announce whenever they can that they are 100% or are disabled...this leads to my post about PTSD where some soldiers see the disability as their only identity and hang on to this and the military time becasue it is the only time in life where they had a mission/meaning, to do the job. I know the feeling well!

This guy needs to be made an example of, put in the public eye to show we are policing the system to ward off more attacks that disabled veterans are taking advantage of the system.

Hang him High! (figuratively speaking)

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 2:23 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 02:23:48 -0500

SFC A.M. Drake. Sounds god awful . . . criminal prosecution already in process . . . only time will tell the truth.
Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 5:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 05:58:08 -0500

Legitimate wounded warriors are struggling to manage their daily lives and then you have people like this screwing the system, I see it every day.
If the Army or DOD would start an insurance fraud division I would be MORE that happy to apply my investigator skills to find these losers. Imagine how much money we could save the government by stopping fraudulent insurance and disability payments?

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Jan 30 at 2015 12:40 PM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 12:40:58 -0500

He should be prosecuted, there are men and women who have been injured and received very little in benefits for their injuries while this fraud made a good life for himself through false claims

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jan 30 at 2015 2:13 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:13:32 -0500

I say not only to the fullest, it is bad enough with stolen valor, but here was a serving Soldier committing this crime. Maximum confinement to Leavenworth and pay back every penny stolen Dishonorable discharge and removed form his current position and only allowed to work at zoo's shoveling the same BS he dished out for 10 years. JMO

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 2:42 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:42:22 -0500

I agree, SFC A.M. Drake: Prosecute to the fullest. As others have noted, there are plenty of folks out there who are truly suffering from physical and psychological wounds. Then along come clowns like this guy, milking the system on the backs of those who really need the assistance. I'm afraid he will hire a slick lawyer and get off with a slap on the wrist.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 4:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 16:08:38 -0500

A perfect example of a POS

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 9:46 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 09:46:07 -0500

I despise thieves and the thieves that steal from the public under false pretenses... That guy deserves hard time with lots of breaking big rocks into little rocks.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Feb 1 at 2015 9:50 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 09:50:03 -0500

Really SPC Mayhew? The punishment does not fit the crime? I would hate to have you as a judge ;-)