Meat-Hook
08-06-2010, 02:55 AM
http://cbs5.com/local/fake.veteran.scam.2.1845652.html
Aug 5, 2010 6:47 pm US/Pacific
NorCal Man Poses As Veteran To Receive VA Benefits
LINCOLN (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
Click to enlarge
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Bruce Duncan
CBS
A Northern Californiaman is behind bars after he lied about being a veteran to receive free health benefits. He is not only accused of misleading the military, but he allegedly used a fake Purple Heart.
"First he said he was a sniper, and then he said he was a tunnel rat, and then he said he was the driver for the General," said Kent Parcell.
Lincoln veteran Kent Parcell said Bruce Duncan showed VFW leaders what looked like an official form he supposedly received after serving in Vietnam, as well as told them the story about how he received his medals.
"He had been wounded, grabbed a man and pulled him back out of the firefight, and saved his life. That's why he had the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart," said Parcell.
But according to federal investigators, it was all a lie. They said Duncan never served in Vietnam, and was never awarded the Purple Heart. Investigators said he apparently lied about such happenings to collect VA benefits.
"He told us he'd been through a Placer County Veterans representative, and had been granted 50 percent disability and received $700 a month," said John Hodson.
John Hodson, the VFW 3010s Treasurer, said Duncan even tried to claim he was suffering from PTSD.
"We understand that's how he got caught because he was greedy," Hodson said.
Duncan's VFW buddies said he was so committed to the story about being a veteran he had a tattoo of the USMC on his arm.
But those veterans say Duncan wasn't just conning the government, he tried to con them as well.
"He was always wanting to borrow money; it was always something," Parcell told CBS.
In all, those generous veterans loaned Duncan $4,000.
"It's embarrassing to those of us who have served to have someone like that running around with a chest full of medals that they didn't earn," said Parcell.
VFW leaders said they eventually got back all that money. But citing Hippa Rules, veteran's affairs can't release any information about Duncan. They say they verify information given when someone tries to claim benefits, but couldn't answer how Duncan was able to receive them.
Aug 5, 2010 6:47 pm US/Pacific
NorCal Man Poses As Veteran To Receive VA Benefits
LINCOLN (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
Click to enlarge
1 of 1
Bruce Duncan
CBS
A Northern Californiaman is behind bars after he lied about being a veteran to receive free health benefits. He is not only accused of misleading the military, but he allegedly used a fake Purple Heart.
"First he said he was a sniper, and then he said he was a tunnel rat, and then he said he was the driver for the General," said Kent Parcell.
Lincoln veteran Kent Parcell said Bruce Duncan showed VFW leaders what looked like an official form he supposedly received after serving in Vietnam, as well as told them the story about how he received his medals.
"He had been wounded, grabbed a man and pulled him back out of the firefight, and saved his life. That's why he had the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart," said Parcell.
But according to federal investigators, it was all a lie. They said Duncan never served in Vietnam, and was never awarded the Purple Heart. Investigators said he apparently lied about such happenings to collect VA benefits.
"He told us he'd been through a Placer County Veterans representative, and had been granted 50 percent disability and received $700 a month," said John Hodson.
John Hodson, the VFW 3010s Treasurer, said Duncan even tried to claim he was suffering from PTSD.
"We understand that's how he got caught because he was greedy," Hodson said.
Duncan's VFW buddies said he was so committed to the story about being a veteran he had a tattoo of the USMC on his arm.
But those veterans say Duncan wasn't just conning the government, he tried to con them as well.
"He was always wanting to borrow money; it was always something," Parcell told CBS.
In all, those generous veterans loaned Duncan $4,000.
"It's embarrassing to those of us who have served to have someone like that running around with a chest full of medals that they didn't earn," said Parcell.
VFW leaders said they eventually got back all that money. But citing Hippa Rules, veteran's affairs can't release any information about Duncan. They say they verify information given when someone tries to claim benefits, but couldn't answer how Duncan was able to receive them.