Man engages in stolen valor to defraud investors
Derek Robert Hamm pleads guilty to stolen valor related defrauding investors (Tyler/KETK)
A man pleads guilty to federal charges for engaging in stolen valor to defraud investors. He portrayed himself as serving as Special Forces (Army) with tours in Iraq and in Afghanistan. He threw in claims of having earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, etc. to add to his phony persona.
From CBS News:
Derek Robert Hamm, 38, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, violating the Stolen Valor Act, using a fraudulent military discharge certificate, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it illegal to fraudulently wear medals, embellish rank, or falsely claim military service to obtain material benefits.
As part of his plea deal, Hamm agreed to pay at least $2.3 million in restitution to his victims and forfeit jewelry, vehicles, and $1.675 million in cash obtained through the scheme.
According to court papers, Hamm falsely presented himself as a wealthy and successful war hero in order to scam investors. He claimed to be a former member of the Army Special Forces and to have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other countries. He also falsely claimed to have been awarded several medals, including a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Distinguished Service Cross for his service.
Hamm also lied that he was related to Oklahoma oil billionaire Harold Hamm and had access to vast financial resources and oil industry expertise. Hamm used his garish persona to create a network of friends who introduced him to potential investors who believed his claims and invested in what they thought were legitimate ventures led by a trustworthy and charismatic entrepreneur.
Unfortunately, Hamm was far from trustworthy and his ventures were far from legitimate. Within hours of taking their funds, Hamm spent the investors’ money on himself and his family. He bought expensive jewelry, cars, and took extravagant vacations on private jets all while telling investors that he had put their funds in successful oil industry ventures.
CBS News, KETK Fox 51, and the Department of Justice, Eastern District of Texas, has more details on this story.
Category: Stolen Valor
And besides having their ill-gotten income removed, what punishment is the family being subjected to? They DID benefit, and I’m sure they eventually figured out Derek’s scam.
Throw ’em all under the jail. If there are any minor children, put ’em into foster or have them adopted.
I remember reading about him back in January.
His FOIA is at this TAH link:
https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=122168
Another Personality Disorder “LOOK AT ME!!” Attention-Seeker With Low Self-Esteem Who Loves Money and Glory.
They Always Get Caught.
Mental Illness Is A Terrible Disease.
Thank You for sharing, thebesig.
Yay! Finally, after a long drought, a for realz POSer.
I would like to know how he could have a CIB listed in his FOIA response when he has none of the campaign medals ribbons for service in the Sandbox.
No NDSM ?
Yeah, it’s on his FOIA
tnx
National Guard call up. All campaigns covered by the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “M” Device listed in the FOIA.
What does the “M” stand for?
Mobilization
Claw,
Mobilization, but a lack of overseas anything ribbons.
Getting sent to Fort Drum or Gordon will do that.
Roach Turd.
What a Hamm.
Can’t believe I am the FIRST to call for the Deployment of the TAH As(s)teroid of Insults on the lying, embellishing, thieving POS Derek Robert Hamm. To me, he is standing on the bodies and in the blood of people who served Honorably and to claim the Purple Heart is the most despicable thing he could do. I have ZERO PHUQUES to give to an embellisher that should know better having done service himself. I’d like to give him the Purple Taint Award, using my size 10 Steel Toed work boots.
Can I get a SECOND and an AYE?
Segundo!
Well, Solyndra schemed American taxpayers out of $600,000,000 and nobody went to jail for that. The takeaway is that if you plan on scamming people with an energy Ponzi scheme, make sure it is green energy.
Something tells me Hamm is going to get porked in his squealhole once he gets to the pen.
Wish we could get a tape of that “‘who gonna be da wife?” conversation with his 300 pound cell mate.
If only Phil Monkress had a son…..
The is the type of turd that does not fall far from the ass.
I see All-Points Logistics in this young man’s future.
Then we had this ass-hat in South Florida……
https://www.google.com/amp/s/taskandpurpose.com/news/army-bodybuilder-zachary-barton-scammed-va/%3famp
Its hard to believe with the internet these clowns just cant stop rocking the lie.