Military Stolen Valor
This guy really needs to pay, BIG!
A 26-year-old Army veteran who authorities say claimed to be disabled in service to bid on an Army contract has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and other charges. Skyler Tarquin Smith, from Huntsville AL, pleaded guilty in federal court 20 APR to wire fraud, making false statements to obtain an Army contract and wearing war medals he did not earn. Authorities say he claimed disability to bid on a contract to provide ballistic vests. A plea agreement shows Smith won a $168,643 contract, then never delivered the vests. Investigators discovered Smith also falsely claimed to have received honors including a Purple Heart. In addition, Smith advertised and sold a $13 cubic zirconia online for $70,000 and provided fake appraisal and auction records to support his claims of ownership and the stone’s worth. Sentencing will be scheduled this summer.
[Source: ArmyTimes AP article 20 Apr 2010 ++]
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