Stolen Valor criminal doesn’t want record expunged
Richard David McClanahan was imprisoned for 30 months partly because of his violations of the now-overturned Stolen Valor Act in Texas. Now he has the opportunity to fight to have that portion of his conviction cleared from his records, but the 34-year-old says that he doesn’t want to do that according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram;
“I have no desire to have my record expunged,” he said. “I’m not the victim here. The law was put into place for a very good reason.
“I understand the legal reasons why it was overturned and have no doubt that it was the legitimate decision for the Supreme Court. But I respectfully disagree with the court’s decision. I wish the law had remained to prevent people like me from making absurd
McClanahan did not fight his prosecution. He pleaded guilty, and in two recent conversations with the Star-Telegram, he said that he hopes a new law can be crafted to satisfy the court’s objections. A new bill has been introduced in Congress that would tailor the definition of the crime to those who benefit financially from lying.
“I wish more people could be brought down and exposed,” he said. “I still have friends in the military. I disrespected them. I don’t believe that people should be able to get away with that, and this coming from the guy who was convicted and did time for it.”
It looks to me like someone learned his lesson.
Category: Stolen Valor Act
It’s a bit ironic that he’s now employed as a salesman.
Bravo! Well put Jonn…hopefully others will get the picture as well. I just ain’t holdn’ my breath.
Salesman, eh? Well, he does have some experience in sales – although he wasn’t quite good enough at selling BS to stay out of jail.
He’s saying the right things, and I hope Jonn’s right that he’s learned his lesson. Time will tell.
First time poster here. I got lured over here from you guys getting plugged at the Stolen Valor facebook page. I love what you guys are doing and it seems to be working. Unfortunatly every one you take down, 3 more take their place.
US Army Grunt/OIF veteran without any v devices
No. 4:
“. . . without any v devices . . .” —
SAME with me, Mr. Twist !! — Nonetheless, I am PROUD (US ARMY, Vietnam War) .
Well, well, well! Good on Mr. Flanagan. Let’s hope it sticks.
I remember when this guy got busted and made the cover of Army Times; seemed unbelievable at the time. IIRC, his wife left him and started a website devoted to bringing him down.
Good on him for accepting the fact that his stolen valor detracted from those who legitimately earned their medals.
No standing ovation from me. Liars don’t just stop one day they just move on to other lies.
Hopefully he will continue his position. I don’t want to give him to much credit but it is nice to see that he’s somewhat reformed.
“You can serve as either a shining example, or a horrible warning.”
Looks like some people get to do both. Let’s hope by the time all is said and done Mr. McClanahan chooses to be more of the former, less of the latter.