Joe Edward Griffin; job application phony in Florida
AverageNCO sends us a link to an article from WTXL about Joe Edward Griffin who applied for a town manager job in White Springs, Florida and has been arrested for fraud because on the application he listed three Bronze Star Medals and a “Silver Medal”, whatever that is. Maybe he came in second place during the Vietnam War. So who won the Gold Medal for the war?
“My wife and I sent in an application that had the false medals on it, I did not know they were false medals,” said Griffin. “They are saying that I could not have earned those medals in a year. Ask anyone, they will tell you Vietnam tours last a year.”
He’s right in that regard. One guy I was checking on (can’t remember his name now, forgive me) earned three Silver Stars in three months in Vietnam for three separate incidences. So yeah, the time period in Vietnam has nothing to do with someone being phony.
By the way, the Navy says his only personal award was a letter of appreciation, so, you know, that’s as good as 3 BSMs and a “Silver Medal”.
Funny how he says “My wife and I…” so eventually he’ll blame her for the claims on the application. No phony ever blamed his wife, have they?
ADDED: Another link from AverageNCO;
According to WSPD, evidence of fraud on the part of Griffin was taken to the State Attorney’s Office and then Judge Andrew Decker signed off on the five warrants on Wednesday, April 16, after finding probable cause.
After confirming with HCSO 911 dispatch that Griffin had five counts of uttering false instruments against him, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
At that link, Joe schools us on the charges in the comments.
Category: Phony soldiers
He was put in for a BSM, which was down graded to a Navy Commendation medal, which was then down graded to an achievement medal, which was then down graded to a letter of appreciation.
Maybe Visconi can hook him up with some decent creds. I hear he works cheap.
See my comment below, LebbenB. As a Navy aviator, it’s extremely unlikely he’d have ever been put in for a BSM even once.
My apologies if you were being sarcastic and I missed that. (smile)
I was. Sometimes my sarcasm is subtle…
I was pretty sure the Vagconi reference was sarcasm. Just wasn’t sure about the first part.
There is another article which states he also claimed two Silver Stars, and some college degrees that sound dubious. He has some sort of blog defending himself and offering his evidence to back his story( doesn’t this sound familiar). But his own evidence shoots holes in his story. He shows a letter stating he graduated Naval Aviation training in June 1972. All combat operations ceased by March 1973 if I’m not mistaken. Even if left straight flight school in June, earning 3 Bronze Stars and 2 Silver Stars in that amount of time? Hmmmm?
Links to the other article, his “evidence” and his Glamor Shot.
http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/jasper/x493469450/White-Springs-man-arrested-on-five-counts-of-fraud
http://whitespringsjournal.com/
Very thorough and well researched article here:
http://vietnam-tours.biz/man-claiming-to-be-decorated-veteran-arrested/
ShOrTbUsWiNdOwLiCkEr44 has clearly taken up journalism as his new avocation. You go Col. Spandex!
That is hilarious! I now aspire to be a flashy maestro.
This reads like someone took an existing news article, used an online translation service to translate it into some other language, and then translated the translation back into English.
I read that “news report” and I suddenly had a flashback to this:
Nice! That video would work well over in the SABO thread also!
I was only able to read that for about fifteen seconds. *OOOOOWWW!* MY BRAIN HUUURTS!!
Kudos to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this tool.
The second article also states the tool’s official military records show that while he was indeed once a Navy LT, he never served in Vietnam. His only award is an NDSM – no VSM or VCM.
A soldier I’ve written about once or twice before here, Brigadier General Charles E. Getz, US Army (Ret.), was awarded the DSC and seven Silver Stars. Three of the Silver Stars were for separate actions that occurred within five months (Oct 1966, Sept 1966, and Feb 1967.)
____________________________________________
This Griffin is a real stand-up guy, dragging his wife into the mess and saying HE is the fraud victim.
Yeah, but 1966-67 is was at the height of US involvement in the war, with some of largest numbers of troops in country. And that was a soldier on the ground. It is not so much that he was only there for a few months. It is that he is claiming to be a rookie pilot straight out of flight school, earning those five medals in the final months of the war. Also HIS OWN letter shows his initial assignment after flight school was Midway Island for “operational or training flights.” Despite what some other real heroes have done, time is not on his side with his claims.
Navy records for the tool show no VSM or VCM, AverageNCO. So it’s very doubtful he ever served in support of Vietnam Operations. Had he served even one day within the AOR while assigned/attached to a unit/ship performing that mission or flown even 1 mission over the defined AOR, he’d rate at least the VSM. (He’d need 180 days service in the defined area to be eligible for the RVN’s VCM, if memory serves).
Moreover, as an aviator, he’d not be eligible for VSMs for flight operations. Operations involving aerial flight are specifically excluded from consideration for award of the BSM. He’d have gotten the Air Medal or DFC instead.
His records show his only medal is the NDSM, which further shows he never served in Vietnam. And even had he served in Vietnam, as an aviator his BSM claims are not credible.
Oh, I don’t disagree at all. It seems extraordinary to receive multiple high honors in a short span of time because it is. It made me think of General Getz and I just thought I’d mention him again. His story is little known b/c he hasn’t sought the limelight by TV commentary, feature srite-ups in newspapers or magazines, or written a book. I admire him greatly and happily report he is alive and well.
This article immediately brought to mind James E. Elliot, the most highly decorated enlisted sailor in Vietnam. He was a member of the Mobile Riverine Force and received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Navy/Marine Corps Medal, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for Valor and two Purple Hearts between July of 1966 and January of 1967. Elliot earned other combat awards in his career, but this particular six months is incredible for its pace and intensity.
Aaaand I am an idiot. The enlisted sailor I mentioned above is James Elliot Williams. I need to actual read what I type before hitting “post”. Apologies to TAH readers.
We take turns being idiots here. You’re up again in three weeks. Hey, thanks for the info on Williams. Brown water guy. Tough SOB. Died at aged 69 in 1999 and is buried in Florence, SC. I was just there. Had I known, I would have visited his grave.
Damned impressive rack!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/57/Williamsribbons.gif
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Williams
I have to hand it to the guy though – he apparently can travel in time. Per the second linked article, it looks like he managed to attend Florida Technological University (FTU) from 1966-1970 – starting about 16 years before it opened in 1982.
Might have been a good idea for him to get that degree in something FTU actually offered, though. (smile)
Okay Hondo, I’m going to show we are fair on this blog. When I saw the alumni sticker on his evidence blog, I realized it was the same logo for what is now UCF. That school opened in 1963 as Florida Technological University. So he may indeed have a degree from there.
AverageNCO: apparently the article was in error.
However, I did a bit of checking. While FTU was indeed established in 1963 by the FL legislature, it did not teach its first classes until Oct 1968. So this fool’s claim of attending FTU from 1966-1970 is still highly suspect.
By the look of his mugshot, he can split atoms… WITH HIS MIND!
They just keep coming out of the woodwork, don’t they? And ‘Joey’ is denying that it’s fraud in his comments.
Is there a training school for these people? Low Self-Esteem University, perhaps?
Well, it looks like he got the NDSM. I mean, they don’t just hand those out to everyone, right?
Absolutely! They are like E-1–they just don’t hand that sort of rank out either.
OK you guys…WAY TO GO
Nice, Chip. That’s a keeper.
Jonn…thanks my man. Coffee through nose onto keyboard. 😀
Florida? Navy? False honors?
All-Points Logistics?
Anyone?
Awww, GT – do we have to? I don’t wanna. (smile)
Actually, imagine Phildo with a few more years on him and you have this turd.
Green Thumb…He would have had it MADE had he only applied at All-Points Logistics. No questions, no applications, “Our word is our bond and so is yours”, is their motto. Just sign here son.
I think his mistake was not reading that pesky small print on the application for a job with local government. Most require you to certify that all information submitted is true and correct, and most jurisdictions also have laws prohibiting false statements on such a sworn declaration.
I don’t think most private-sector job applications are regarded in the same light (e.g., as sworn statements), and thus I don’t think prosecution in such cases is viable. I could be wrong, though.
Florida also apparently has better than normal laws regarding document forgery, which is likely why he got nailed for the false degree claims. I’m guessing he provided faked copies of diplomas.
In most companies, false statements on hiring are grounds for immediate termination and at least in Texas, the company can call it misconduct – which means no unemployment, either. Not quite as severe.
I would agree except for the fact that making a false statement is perjury, and that is not what he is being charged with.
“Uttering false instruments” is against Florida Statute 831.02 ( http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/831.02 )
The problem as I see it is that the statute requires that the documents be presented with the intent to defraud a person. There is no provision within the statute on “defrauding” the government and given the Supreme Court case on Stolen Valor, it is hard to see whether presenting false / doctored documents on a job application can be considered a crime at all.
You might want to read the current Federal stolen valor law – passed last year as a reaction to the SCOTUS decision in US v. Alvarez, if I recall correctly. That law specifically makes false claims of certain military decorations for the purpose of obtaining “money, property, or other tangible benefit” a Federal crime. Using false claims of receiving certain military decorations in an attempt to obtain employment would appear to qualify as an attempt to obtain something of “tangible benefit”.
The 2nd linked article in Jonn’s article (the one provided by AverageNCO) indicates this tool claimed having received “two Silver Stars”, and also appears to have provided fake certificates for same. If so, IMO he’s possibly now in a very bad spot – because after Florida finishes with him for the forged certs, he may be looking at additional problems.
The Silver Star is one of those decorations that is specifically called out under 18 USC 704. So irrespective of Florida’s forgery laws, the tool may well have Federal criminal issues to worry about as well – if the local US Attorney wants to push it, of course.
Hondo,
I don’t disagree on the Federal side, but this is a charge from the state of Florida. In my opinion, the guy is scum, but that doesn’t mean that the charge fits his actions.
No person was defrauded in this case.
White Springs is a really small town (pop. approx 800) and I can’t see the salary of the City Manager being that large which may be why he took a shot at it.
It will be interesting to watch what happens.
gitarcarvr: see
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/624.04
It appears that the legal definition of “person” in Florida is broader than simply individual humans.
I’ve actually run across this charge in the past, but in another context.
“Uttering and publishing a false instrument” is the usual charge when someone tries to pass a forged prescription, at least in NY.
The “Silver Medal” is a shiny cute little medal with a beautiful silk ribbon on it. It looks really nice and impresses his friends at the playground!
Master Chief…Maybe it’s a Silver Medal in the local tavern’s ugliest mug shot contest. I can’t imagine who go the Gold.
Green Thumb is correct. A few more years on Phildo (he’s already got all the weight he needs) and this is what Phil will look like, minus the hair. Hopefully, in a mug shot as well. I can only hope and pray I see the day!
It is to early in the am,but did that one page say he was a Major in the Navy wtf? Ilove the silver medal
hahhah.turd.
He’s going to come here to “defend” himself. I just know it! It’s been slow lately so this should be fun. I wonder if his first or second comment will threaten the lawsuit? I’m going for the second one, his first one will say it’s a misunderstanding and blame his wife. Most of his blog is posted by him but giving credit for the “finds” to his wife.
Naval Aviator Number 16762 was designated in June 1960, & Naval Aviator Number 28908 was designated on 17 Oct 1969 – “3 years before Joe received his designation number 14697 dated 16 June 1972.”
Poser Math states that March 20, 2014 PLUS 4 months equals April 28, 2014.
Therefore, his Naval Aviator Number is legit.
Poser math was taught to me by a MESNA Genius PhD. It also comes in quite handy for aircraft fuel calculations and indicated airspeed (but there is a 99 cent IPad app for that).
From the WXTL website, “We spoke with Griffin on Tuesday and he says he was awarded the medals and earned them during his tour in Vietnam.
He claims he renounced them. He says when he tried to get them back, he received false documents. Griffin says he is actually the victim of fraud.”
So the excuses start. The Navy sent him false documents after he “renounced” all his medals for valor and later tried to get them back. Yeah, right.
If he had actually earned them, why would he renounce them? This dipshit has turned himself into a human pretzel trying to explain his stolen valor fraud…
I read the clown’s blog. He’s Bernath lite. He has an excuse for everything, he’s never wrong, and he’ll throw anyone under the bus without a second thought.