Stolen Valor indictment in Baton Rouge
Andrew Bryson has been indicted in Baton Rouge, LA for trying to defraud the LA Motor Vehicle Office by attempting to get Purple Heart license plates for his vehicle, according to 7th Space;
The investigation of BRYSON was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations with assistance from the Louisiana State University Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cam T Le.
I’m glad there are some FBI agents and US prosecutors who pursue these cases. The FBI office in Baltimore told me I had too much time my hands when I handed over evidence on General Baxter to them.
Category: Phony soldiers
Great on them. Yet another reason to retire in LA (Louisiana, not Los Angeles).
So, that asshat Baxter is still posing? Good on the Feeb’s and the federal prosecutor in this case.
Too much time on your hands for doing their job for them and handing the investigation to them with a bow? Wow… just wow. Maybe if they actually got off their collective asses and did their job for themselves, rather than hassling LEOs, people would think twice about claiming stolen valor.
When I received my veteran plates with the Iraq War emblem, the DMV was pretty strict about requiring a copy of the DD-214 as well as an RMV-14 form stating my service. Does that requirement differ by state? I would think something like the Purple Heart would be harder. Then again, I suppose all it would take is a program like Photoshop to fake those documents.
Jonn, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing an FBI agent as a friend (a fine man, for a fibbie). It may sound backward, but to get them to perk their ears up, always start with the MONEY part of the fraud. If you start with stolen valor, phony honor, etc., they’ll just yawn and look at you. Start with where money is leaking, and you’ll have their attention. I’m not sure why they’re like that, but they are.
[…] Andrew “Purple Heart Plates Phony” Bryson […]
Who are these clowns think they’re trying to kid? In Texas anyway, the LP people arre pretty strict about handing out special plates. That means your application has to be supported by noterized copies of supporting documentation. Then your packet is investigated for accuracy,all before the plates are issued.
Is anyone aware of the news on the Bryson case yet? The U.S. Attorney dropped the Charges on Bryson because the Federal Court ruled that wearing or possessing any type of Medal or Commendation is not a crime, but; is protected by the Constitution-specifically the freedom of speech. So, I guess those men and women who gave an arm or leg, or even worse will now receive a Commendation which has lost all honor because any yahoo can wear one now and be protected by the Constitution. By the way, Andrew is my son, and if I have anything to do about it, he will pay for the dishonor he has brought against the real hero’s of War.
The Federal case had to go away because the SVA covered false claims, and the SCOTUS ruled it overbroad and an infringement on free speech.
However, that may not get him “off the hook” with the state of LA. Many states offer PH recipients a tax break on license plates (reduced or waived taxes). You also generally have to sign a form attesting that all information submitted is true and correct.
In most states, those acts constitute tax evasion and false swearing. Those are prosecutable state crimes. LA may be different, as it’s the only US state who’s state/local laws are not based on English common law.
It is still illegal to wear badges, insignia, medals, ribbons of the US armed forces etc ….. Title 18 …
Further is it still illegal to impersonate enlisted and commissioned officer of the US armed forces … Title 18
SVA only covered claims …
In other words … there is plenty to procecute alligators with!
The Supreme Court decision only cut slack for people who were flapping their soup coolers about medals. Its still illegal to WEAR the medals, and fraud is fraud. People that get discounts by using fraudulent information to get waivers on fees or non-competitive contracts are committing fraud.
The Gub-mint will turn a blind eye/ear to some bozo trying to impress a floozie in some bar, but gets pissy when you don’t pat full fees or taxes because you put false information on a form.