James Kauffman’s fake military service deadly for his wife
The Press of Atlantic City tells the story of Dr. James Kaufman who pretended to be a Vietnam War Special Forces veteran. He was so dependent on people believing his tales that he eventually murdered his wife, April, a veterans’ advocate.
April Kauffman, 47, was found by a caretaker shot twice on May 10, 2012, in the bedroom of her Linwood home. Five years later, Kauffman was arrested on weapons and obstruction charges resulting from a 45-minute armed standoff with police as they attempted to execute the search warrant.
In January, after he was charged in April’s murder, James Kauffman, 69, died inside the Hudson County jail, where he apparently hanged himself.
It was our partners at Guardians of the Green Beret who exposed Kaufman’s lies. They discovered that he had never served in any branch of the military;
After her murder, friends of April Kauffman told investigators it was James Kauffman’s alleged military service that attracted April to him in the first place, according to the warrant.
“However, within a year of her murder, April became aware that Dr. Kauffman had never served in Armed Forces and was not a veteran in any capacity,” the warrant states. “It is known that April was devastated by this revelation and it is believed that she threatened to use this information to procure a beneficial divorce from him.”
Kauffman wore a green beret and fatigue uniforms to his wife’s veteran events according to witnesses;
Atlantic County Director of Veterans Services Bob Frolow…who first met April Kauffman about seven years ago at a breakfast at the former Northfield Diner before joining her on several veterans projects, said although James Kauffman never told him explicitly he was a veteran, he did things like wearing a green beret or fatigues to insinuate that he was.
“Little things where you would assume he was a veteran,” Frolow said. “He would make little innuendos that he was in the service.”
I wouldn’t recommend murder to cover up stolen valor fraud, and I guess Dr Kauffman wouldn’t at this point, either.
Category: Phony soldiers, Valor Vultures
“Stolen valor is a victimless crime.” Yeah, right.
This cannot be over-emphasized. If a person is attracted to a potential mate because he/she is a veteran, the person should independently verify that fact BEFORE getting married. There are way too many liars out there, and now your life may depend on it as well…
As Jonn noted, James Kauffmann committed suicide this past January before he went to trial.
https://nypost.com/2018/01/26/doctor-kills-himself-in-jail-before-trial-for-wifes-murder/
Coward’s way out. How fitting!
Good grief. Had forgotten about this low life. He’s the poster boy for the error often repeated that Stolen Valor is a victimless crime.
Can’t see the rest of his pony tail in the photo.
Rot in hell Jamie
Good riddance.
I’m glad the NJ taxpayers aren’t on the hook to feed/house/provide medical care for this low-life.
We are too…
When these cocksuckers contemplate murder/suicide I wish they would start with the suicide part first…..I know suicide is a big taboo but not every suicide is a tragedy.
+1000
From your mouth to God’s ears.
Hang in there Kauf. Oh that’s right, your already hanged.
He was just hangin’ around.
Funny that his last act was that of a coward. He avoided punishment just like he likely avoided military service. Good riddance.
He killed his wife to cover up the fact that he was involved in a drug ring with a local motorcycle gang. Never read anything about stolen valor until now, but hey I guess if you’re a doctor and willing to get involved with an outlaw biker gang to sell drugs I guess it isn’t far fetched. Glad he took care of the problem for us law abiding tax payers in NJ.
When scumbag doc decided to get rid of her he turned to some of the endless string of scumbags who patronize pill mill docs. The took the money and a year later she was dead. Exactly who killed her is unclear, as the accused shooter, the doc and the wife are all dead.
Doctors running pill mills don’t need anyone else to make money writing bogus scripts. Addicts will beat a path to your door once they find out.
But scumbag cops and prosecutors, that’s another matter. They always need the great white defendant.
“Victimless crime” my ass…
A special place in hell awaits his arrival.
Burn in hell.
Was he really a doctor? If so, of what?
Once again, showing that Stolen Valor is the rancid cherry topping the shit sundae.