VA- Falsified Claims, Faked Death
Gregory P. Heimann Jr
Veteran stole $244K in disability, then faked drowning death in Maine, feds say
Story by Julia Marnin
A Maine man accused of stealing more than $244,000 in disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs faked his drowning death after authorities confronted him about the fraud, according to federal officials and court filings.
Gregory P. Heimann Jr., 51, told the VA in 2023 that he had used a wheelchair since 2004 and could not walk or stand, federal prosecutors said.
But that was not the case, according to prosecutors.
When Heimann was interviewed in February 2024, a federal agent with the VA’s Office of Inspector General revealed there was evidence showing Heimann “walking, driving, fighting, and shopping,” according to an affidavit written by the agent.
Two months later, Heimann left his Forest City Township home by the Canadian border, headed to a nearby river and vanished on April 19, 2024, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Investigators initially thought Heimann drowned, leading to a dayslong search, the agency said in an Aug. 25 news release. Ten days after his disappearance, the VA’s Office of Inspector General issued a warrant for his arrest.
“After further investigation, though it was made to look like a possible drowning, it was determined that Heimann was in fact not deceased and his disappearance was ruled suspicious,” the U.S. Marshals Service said.
Investigators continued to search for Heimann, leading to his discovery and arrest at an Amtrak train station in La Plata, Missouri, about a 165-mile drive northeast from Kansas City, on Aug. 21, the agency announced.
Heimann will be returned to Maine, where he will face a charge of making false statements to the government, following his indictment in October 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine said in an Aug. 25 news release.
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Heimann served in the U.S. Army from November 1993 through January 1997, according to court documents. Then, he served in the U.S. Army National Guard from April 1997 through May 2005.
The 40% disability he already was receiving just wasn’t sufficient apparently, so he upped his game. His loss of mobility claims were called into question when he was observed moving freely about and engaging in a couple violent altercations. After questioning he faked a tragic canoe accident and disappeared for a year until his arrest in Missouri. Now he’s looking to lose all that and a 5-20 year sentence in a Federal prison. Well played, asshole.
Category: Crime, The Stupid is Strong, Veteran Health Care
That guy looks scary old, but he entered the Army AFTER I did by more than a year. Man I feel old, and I don’t even rate a percentage from the VA.
Free advice, hire an advocate! It seems expensive looking forward, but it’s worth it!
I didn’t and should have!
Ancient thread, but at the very least reach out to American Legion or DAV and ask them if they would represent you at no charge
The guy is 5 years older than me and looks old enough to be my creepy uncle. WTF?
I’m 55 and he looks older than me.
He looks older than me, and I’ll be hitting 80 this November…Where did the time go…
Would never have guessed that age for you Jeff! God bless!
Geez, I’m only 78. I feel young.
Well, me, I’m always Young.😉
I’m just a yute of 62.
32 going on 33.
A year older. And my wife is a Young.
It went into a life well lived, my dude. A life well lived.
Will his prison cell accommodate his wheelchair?
Yes, but shoved up where the sun don’t shine.
Since he was still in the reserves in 2005, was he wheeling himself around in his wheelchair at the monthly MUTA?
I heard he was trying to pass himself off as Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty. He was outed when he couldn’t produce the blue Tupperware cup.
Thank you! Looking at his mug I was thinking, “where have I seen this guy before?” Uncle Si pulled off the look better.
Looks like he may be related to Bernath. Not a healthy looking creep. He will probably fit right in with the other prisoners but could end up some chiropractic adjustments given his propensity to “roughhouse” with folks.
“Gregory P. Heimann Jr., 51, told the VA in 2023 that he had used a wheelchair since 2004 and could not walk or stand”
WTF? Is that all you have to do to get VA benefits?
No doctors opinion let alone physical exam?
I’m shocked the VA actually sent an investigator after this guy.
Well, his lies finally caught up with him. He sowed the wind. May he now reap the whirlwind.
Be careful what you claim but this is not really earth shattering…
““walking, driving, fighting, and shopping,”
“not really earth shattering…”
Reminds me of the wheel chair guy just a couple weeks ago.
Lesson for today.
Your social media will be used against you.
Don’t you be slowin’ down on that other place, ya hear?
Are they sure he’s not dead? Because he don’t look so good.
😂😂😂😂
He played stupid games and won stupid prizes, now he gets to bed down with Bubba & Thor! I wonder how much of his chow he’ll have to give away for protection?
I said a while back that just because you served this great nation in the military And are now a veteran, doesn’t mean that you can’t also be a POS!
F him for being a POS, but more importantly, F him for the dishonor he brings upon military service!
Holy cat turds, Batman!
That meth is not good for the health!
F**king traitor!!! You honorably serve and then you screw over your fellow veterans?! F**k you, the horse you rode on, and the doctor who signed your birth certificate!!! 🤬
I hope the height chart is in inches.
First look I thought he was over six and a half feet tall.
“Phony” Phil Monkress (CEO of All-Points Logistics) on a bender.
Lori Benton needs to up her game.