Former Marine from Massachusetts admits to false Purple Heart claim and disability fraud
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A former U.S. Marine has pleaded guilty after an investigation found he applied with false information regarding injuries he received in the line of duty.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, 54-year-old Paul John Herbert of Shelburne Falls pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in Springfield Federal Court on Tuesday.
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Investigators say that on October 24, 2018, Herbert filed a false Purple Heart application to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman claiming he had been injured by a roadside explosion.
Additionally, beginning on October 13, 2010, Herbert filed false claims to the VA concerning IED-related injuries to get disability compensation. As a result, between January 1, 2010 and March 1, 2023, the VA overpaid Herbert $344,040.
'Military veterans deserve the respect of every citizen for their service to our country. Veterans know well that the Purple Heart honors those brave service members who were injured or killed in the line of duty. Mr. Herbert knew that he did not deserve this widely recognized and respected award, but that did not stop him from lying about a traumatic brain injury and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability benefits, intended to take care of veterans truly in need.' said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. 'Claiming valor for a false injury is an affront to all the members of the military who serve our country with courage and honor.'
'Today's guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for falsifying his service record to steal funds intended for our nation's deserving veterans,' said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General's Northeast Field Office. 'The VA Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate those who would represent themselves as something they are not in order to exploit VA programs and services.'
'The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement component of the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General, will continue to partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice to protect the interests of those who selflessly serve our country,' said Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. 'We are committed to investigating individuals who falsely represent themselves as decorated veterans and steal benefits intended for our nation's servicemembers.'
Herbert could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17th.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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