Stolen Valor Act - SCOTUS ruling

Luigi59

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Any day now, SCOTUS is due to rule on the constitutionality of the SVA.

While researching the upcoming SCOTUS ruling, I came across the newest "Navy SEAL" to be exposed as a 100% fraud - a former Army PFC (who even has SEAL tattoos) claiming to be a retired MCPO, with a stolen resume that was lifted word-for-word from a real MCPO SEAL.

Video here: Phony Navy SEAL of the WEEK. Brian Creekmur

We found a biography for Creekmur posted online. And we can confirm the SEAL resume is 100 percent authentic. It’s just not his.

The bio actually belongs to this guy, retired Master Chief and real Navy SEAL Steven Matulewicz. Let’s compare.

Matulewicz enlisted in the Navy in 1983 and then “looked for every opportunity to take on greater leadership roles.” So did Creekmur, word for word.

In 1985, Matulewicz reported to BUD/S – basic SEAL training class 134. Then he deployed to Central and South America. Creekmur, ditto. In 1989, Matulewicz “screened for and passed the arduous 6-month training cycle at SEAL Team Six.” Creekmur, too. Again, word for word. They had the same assignments, earned the same medals, even went to the same civilian college Excelsior College in Albany, NY. But Excelsior has no records of Creekmur attending.

The retired master chief, who still lives and works in Hampton Roads, told us he’s outraged someone just lifted his resume. But he’s more angered that someone is pretending to be a SEAL in the first place. That, he says, is a dishonor to all SEALS.

And before you get the idea Creekmur is just bragging to the ladies, you should know this: He routinely corresponds with CNN reporters to offer his opinion and expertise on military stories. Here he tells Soledad O’Brien about all the death he’s seen in combat. She resent his message to her more than 140,000 followers. CNN would not comment for our story.

The woman says when she first questioned Creekmur’s claims, he sent her his DD-214. That’s a military document detailing a service member’s assignments. She sent it to us. As to his Navy SEAL assignments on this line, both Don Shipley, and members at Navy Special Warfare Command in California, say it’s simply not true. And it turns out the rest of it is also false. Naval Personnel Records Command confirmed to NewsChannel 3 the Creekmur never served in the Navy. Not one day.

Did Brian Creekmur ever serve in the military? The National Personnel Records Center sent us this document. It shows Creekmur enlisted in the Army in 1984. He was at one time promoted to Specialist, but when he was discharged in 1990, his rank was lower, Private First Class. And that’s it. Records reveal no other military service.

As I personally do not believe lying about being a SEAL or winning a certain medal should be criminally punished (unless fraud or some other crime is attempted or completed), exposing the liars as liars should be publicized as much as possible. Public shame should be heaped upon them, but not criminal punishment.
 
Any day now, SCOTUS is due to rule on the constitutionality of the SVA.

While researching the upcoming SCOTUS ruling, I came across the newest "Navy SEAL" to be exposed as a 100% fraud - a former Army PFC (who even has SEAL tattoos) claiming to be a retired MCPO, with a stolen resume that was lifted word-for-word from a real MCPO SEAL.

Video here: Phony Navy SEAL of the WEEK. Brian Creekmur



As I personally do not believe lying about being a SEAL or winning a certain medal should be criminally punished (unless fraud or some other crime is attempted or completed), exposing the liars as liars should be publicized as much as possible. Public shame should be heaped upon them, but not criminal punishment.
Is there something for falsifying a DD-214?
 
Is there something for falsifying a DD-214?

Official Federal record that one can easily use for financial gain through federal benefits. Pretty sure falsifying a DD-214 is a federally punishable offense. :unhappy:

If it isn't, it should be.
 
I agree with you on it not being criminal, but what a scumbag for doing that. It is funny, but it seems like almost a lot of the people I meet that were in the service, claim to have been a SEAL, Recon, a Green Beret, Ranger, or even Pararescue Jumper, maybe not everyone, but a lot of people make those claims. Those MOs's are so exclusive, that I just look at them and think to myself of how much more BS will I be hearing.
 
Official Federal record that one can easily use for financial gain through federal benefits. Pretty sure falsifying a DD-214 is a federally punishable offense. :unhappy:

If it isn't, it should be.

Creating a false one (or altering a real one) to impress the boys down at the VFW or a lady on the internet, no.

Using it to obtain anything of value - job, benefits, donations, etc - fraud, with the SVA or not.

It is funny, but it seems like almost a lot of the people I meet that were in the service, claim to have been a SEAL, Recon, a Green Beret, Ranger, or even Pararescue Jumper, maybe not everyone, but a lot of people make those claims. Those MOs's are so exclusive, that I just look at them and think to myself of how much more BS will I be hearing.

"Uh, I was with the Green Beret. Special Unit Battalions, Commando Airborne Tactics, Specialist Tactics, Unit Battalion.
It was real hush hush. I was Agent Orange. That was my name. Agent Orange. Agent Orange, that was me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKtjBqJ4NxA&feature=related

Let's hope SCOTUS throws out the old law and encourages Congress to pass the new re-written edition of the law.
 
I agree with you on it not being criminal, but what a scumbag for doing that. It is funny, but it seems like almost a lot of the people I meet that were in the service, claim to have been a SEAL, Recon, a Green Beret, Ranger, or even Pararescue Jumper, maybe not everyone, but a lot of people make those claims. Those MOs's are so exclusive, that I just look at them and think to myself of how much more BS will I be hearing.

Can't agree with you more.

I have found that those that are eager to recite their military resume and start a conversation with "Im really not supposed to talk about this" are the ones blowing smoke where it should't go. I have met my share over the years, usualy sitting on the next bar stool.
 
I believe Luigi is quite right on this. The government already has "TOO MUCH" influence and say so in reducing our rights. And yes; if you make something like this "Against the law", then you set a legal precedence to allow the government to stop OTHER "Freedom of Speech".

Now; if someone uses this false identity for financial gain or similar; then you bust their butt for fraud and/or similar charges. But you don't make "Freedom of Speech" against the law. And that's exactly what you are doing with the "Stolen Valor Act". It needs to be clear, that there is NO CRIME for making such valor claims;;; however, if an individual uses these valor claims for financial or other material gain, then they are prosecuted with fraud charges.

I just don't want the government to say what I "CAN SAY" and what I "CAN'T SAY". They already have gone after many of our rights. Freedom of speech is one of our most important freedoms. It's what allows us to express disagreement; especially with the government.
 
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