Wannabee caught by VA, SSA, etc

[Berta]

Eastern District of PennsylvaniaFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
"Bucks County Man Sentenced to Over Three Years for Faking Military Hero Status and Stealing from the Government
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Richard Meleski, 58, of Chalfont, PA, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $302,121 in restitution for a particularly disgraceful fraud scheme to steal Veterans Administration (VA) benefits by pretending to be a veteran who had been captured by the enemy during combat.

In July 2020, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud, two counts of mail fraud, one count of stolen valor, two counts of fraudulent military papers, as well as two counts of aiding and abetting straw purchases, and one count of making false statements in connection with receiving Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The charges stemmed from Meleski fraudulently claiming to have served as an elite Navy SEAL and falsely representing that he had been a Prisoner of War in order to secure healthcare benefits from the VA worth over $300,000. Due to his false representation as a Prisoner of War, the defendant received healthcare from the VA in Priority Group 3, effectively receiving healthcare before other deserving military service members. In reality, Meleski never served one day in the United States military.

The defendant also filed for monetary compensation from the VA for PTSD suffered during an armed conflict in Beirut in which he rescued injured teammates. In his application for disability benefits for PTSD, Meleski falsely represented that he had been awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions during his time as a Navy SEAL. Again, Meleski never served a single day in the United States military and was never awarded such commendation. Meleski also submitted another application to the VA for monetary compensation in which he included obituaries of actual Navy SEALs alongside whom he falsely said he had served. He traded on the actions of these true service members in an attempt to bolster his application for monetary benefits.

The defendant also filed for disability benefits from The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) for injuries he claimed to have received during his time in the military.  Meleski falsely testified under oath in connection with an SSA Disability proceeding.

“The defendant faked a record as a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL in order to collect numerous forms of taxpayer-funded compensation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “The fact that Meleski chose to put himself ahead of true war heroes in order to take advantage of benefits designed specifically for those serving in the U.S. military is profoundly offensive. Our veterans fought for the freedoms we hold dear, and as we approach the twentieth anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 this Saturday, their sacrifices are even more meaningful. The defendant’s actions dishonor all of their legacies.”

“We are grateful to our federal partners for their work in pursuing and prosecuting those who impersonate our nation’s hero’s and unlawfully obtain benefits meant for those who served,” said RADM Karen Flaherty-Oxler (RET), Medical Center Director for the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz (Philadelphia) VA Medical Center. “It is disheartening to see someone who benefited from the service of our Veterans, dishonor them in this manner. Nonetheless, our day-to-day mission of caring for our Veterans continues uninterrupted and with the same vigor and commitment.”

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who benefit from falsely claiming to have served in the United States military will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the support of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners in securing justice for our nation’s true heroes.”

“This defendant defrauded the government in many different ways for several years,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division.  “The outcome of this investigation is the result of several law enforcement agencies working together for a common goal – to keep our communities safe from criminals like Meleski. I want to thank our law enforcement partners at the VA OIG, SSA OIG and the U.S Attorney’s Office for this successful prosecution.”

The case was investigated by Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and it is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Megan Curran."

Bucks County Man Sentenced to Over Three Years for Faking Military Hero Status and Stealing from the Government | USAO-EDPA | Department of Justice

[pacmanx1]

29 minutes ago, Berta said:

In reality, Meleski never served one day in the United States military.

My apologies, by never serving one day in the military makes me think something is off and since this was very sensitive information I wonder about the inside factor, and did he have any help and what happened to that or those individuals. We see this from time to time and I can't believe it took that long to notice that something was off and that the fake documents had to look seriously real and makes me think that this individual had to have help from someone on the inside. Very, very sad that this makes the VA think that all veterans are liars or lying. 

[Berta]

Yeah-it is a Disgrace!

I agree with you- and I wonder what triggered the investigation that led to the results.....

I have known a few wannabees over the years and one claimed he was a Navy Seal.

I have a good firend in th next county, mentioned in a few books, a highly decorated Navy Seal who told me to ask this 'vet' one question- and the answer would prove he was full of crap.

He couldnt answer the question at all.

Year ago a member here ( i used to give out my email) asked me to write a Buddy letter for him. It rgarded an event that was a sympton of a mental disabiity he claimed he had in service on a Navy ship.

In those days women were not on Navy ships and besides, I am a civilian.

Another member years ago emailed me that her ex husband was getting TDIU and was working. She wanted me to report him to the VA.

BS to that.

And another member emailed me she would kill herself if I didnt get her some "VA money".  Her veteran "husband" had died.

But he wasnt her husband and they did not live in a Commonwealth state,that recognized common law marriages.

There are all sorts of wannabees around.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Berta
in cloud poor internet access

[Berta]

PS- this stuff really pisses me off-

After my huband applied for a DD 149 and received the DD 215 fortunately a few months before he died, that included other awards,etc. ,I took it with me to Lackland USAF base when my daughter graduated from BT there, to purchase the additional medals, etc , to include the PUC ( when my husband saw that on the DD 215 he was very elated- for a while-but suddenly felt into a deep depression, over what their unit did, to earn the PUC.)

I was able to purchase the medals that were on the DD 215 ( some we had but the Vietnam Medals had to be purchsed at a BX and the PUC too)- and I thought I would have to prove he earned what I purchased, but they never asked to see his DD 215-maybe it was because I was with my daughter (( USAF Intell) and also my neighbor, (20 Years USAF retired) but my point is I could have purchased anything-even a Purple Heart.

However, a DD 214 was probably altered in this veteran's case above- but I too think he must have had inside help.

I bet there is a lot more to this that only the DOJ and SSA knows.

 

 

 

 

[ShrekTheTank]

The problem with saying you are a Navy seal is there are not that many.  Then to have details about what happened in those specific places is another thing.  Then to have the nerve to keep applying when he could have just left enough alone has me even more baffeled.  I am glad they caught him and I hope they catch the person who was helping him.  

[pacmanx1]

There is a lot more to this story, not only did this pozer know too much, but he also had to know names, dates, time, unit and the events that happened. This pozer was never in the military. Most civilians would not know that awards have orders numbers, and they can’t be faked.

My last SF unit was given several JMUAs and they were left off my DD 214 and since I stayed in the local area at that time I just went back on post to my old unit and they typed a letter that I had to send in my DD 149 to get my awards added to my records with a DD 215 but what civilian would know that the awards would need orders numbers that had to be reviewed and those order numbers have a list of all soldiers names, SSNs, ranks and unit assigned that was eligible for those awards? He had to have had help from someone in the know.

[Berta]

I nnow wonder if he really needed outside help- because, here in my county in NY there is a way to register a DD214/215.

I think every the local Vet reps advised doing that. One reason is they always know where their DD214/215 is 9 because the registry holds it if they need a copy of it.

The registery however is public information. Maybe the county even uses it to get actual democraphics on veterans in the county- but then again my husband never registered his D 214/215 at all and I bet most vets here have never done that.

Anyone could easily steal the identity of a veteran from this pubic registery., as to reading their DD 214/215.

Or taking notes on what it said.

Maybe the county would even give someone a copy of it.

The58 year old  wannabee was certainly aware of all of the VA benefits he could obtain. I guess I am tryng to figure out how he did this.But than again-the RO should have caught this.

He was born in 1963-what combat did he say he was in? How did he become a POW?

None of that makes sense- but I guess it did to the VA.