Stolen valor on a different scale?

2015-09-29T08:24:14-04:00

VAOIG reports the following indictments for people who posed as veterans to get lucrative contracts.

Four Indicted For Fraud Against Government Contracting Programs
Federal Grand Jury in Tennessee Returns Fraud Indictment in Scheme to Get Set-Aside Contracts Intended for Small Businesses and Veterans

Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Make False Statements and Defraud the Government
Penn. Contractor Admits Hiring Veteran as “Straw” Partner To Obtain $8.7 M in Government Contracts Meant for Disabled Veterans

Co-owner of Defunct Company Admits Defrauding Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty To Fraud, Made False Claims Enabling Company To Win $6.7M in Set-Aside Contracts Intended for Veterans

Omaha Contractor and Companies Plead Guilty to Fraud Scheme
Omaha Contractor Faces 24 Month in Prison for “Pass Through” Scheme That Took 45 Contracts Away From Legitimate Veteran-Owned Businesses

New Jersey Business Owner Admits Fraudulent Claims Of Service-Disabled Veteran Ownership
Office Design Owner Faces 5 Years in Prison for Falsely Claiming SDVOSB Status, Recieved $1.2M in Contracts Meant for Veterans

Albuquerque Construction Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Federal Program for Service-Disabled Veterans
Albuquerque Duo Plead Guilty in Scheme Where Nearly $11M in VA Construction Contracts Went to Them Instead of Disabled Veteran Business Owners

Connecticut Man Sentenced for Claiming To Operate Minority, Service-Disabled Veteran Business
2-Years’ Probation, $38K Forfeiture For Connecticut Man Who Falsely Claimed Disabled Veteran Status to Obtain Set-Aside Contracts

Sterling Business Owner Sentenced for Claiming to be Minority, Service-Disabled Veteran Operated Business
Federal Judge Sentences Massachusetts Contractor to 1 Year in Prison, $399K Forfeiture for Falsely Claiming to Be Disabled Veteran

Response by 1SG Joseph Yorski, MHS made Sep 29 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-09-29T08:33:52-04:00

It's not just contractors. There are plenty of Stolen Valor cases WORKING at VA...All receiving compensation and got the hiring preference, of course. Makes me sick and there's NOTHING one can do about it as nobody ever gets in trouble at the VA.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 29 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-09-29T10:02:12-04:00

That is sad but not unexpected news Sgt Spencer Sikder. It makes little sense for people to pretend to be heroes or even service members unless they get something out of it.
I wouldn't be too surprised to learn that there are many more than four people who fraudulently obtained employment or contracts based on military experience they never had.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 29 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-09-29T10:44:35-04:00

Sgt Spencer Sikder this makes me sick. So much harm caused by these ass hats. They hurt legitimate businesses that could have and should have gotten those contracts, they hurt their families when they are caught and charged, They hurt the families of those who should have had those contracts through lost revenue. Just an all around deplorable circumstance, compounded by the wide scope of it reach.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 29 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-09-29T11:54:30-04:00

I used to get mad over these, but I'm at the point of f*ck it. There's no real checks and balances to regulate how these businesses operate or get contracts, and to make it worse when a vet is part of the scam, what's there to get mad at? The rules are so fluid that to meet a basic requirement, like needing a vet, say your gramps who'd been dead 50 years and you're in. Need a minority, get a woman, or claim you're native American. Don't prove it, no one cares. Make rules with some teeth that will open some eyes, make the proof more stringent to the point where it would almost be more of a hassle (monetarily and emotionally) to do it all. That should thin out the herd some.