A New Hampshire man accused of faking a disability to receive Veterans Affairs benefits has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.On several occasions, investigators say Christopher Stultz, 49, went into VA medical centers and used a wheelchair, but walked normally afterward. It was found that Stultz had lied to the VA for 20 years to receive disability benefits totaling $662,871.77.”This was a brazen crime that spanned more than two decades that robbed deserving veterans of funds that were available to them,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “These are taxpayer dollars, the defendant had no regard for any of that.”The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Stultz joined the Navy in 1995 and was hurt the following year after falling off a horse. He performed light duties and was discharged in 1999. The VA rated Stultz as “partially disabled,” but in 2003, investigators say he began falsely claiming he could no longer use his feet, causing the VA to rate him as 100% disabled.Investigators add Stultz received funding to purchase special vehicles designed to help mobility-impaired veterans, which he sold for cash.The VA Office of The Inspector General began its investigation when there was a report of potential fraud a few years ago.Stultz pleaded guilty to making the false statements in January. In addition to his sentence of over a year and a half in prison, he will have three years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay back the VA in restitution.
A New Hampshire man accused of faking a disability to receive Veterans Affairs benefits has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
On several occasions, investigators say Christopher Stultz, 49, went into VA medical centers and used a wheelchair, but walked normally afterward. It was found that Stultz had lied to the VA for 20 years to receive disability benefits totaling $662,871.77.
“This was a brazen crime that spanned more than two decades that robbed deserving veterans of funds that were available to them,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “These are taxpayer dollars, the defendant had no regard for any of that.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Stultz joined the Navy in 1995 and was hurt the following year after falling off a horse. He performed light duties and was discharged in 1999.
The VA rated Stultz as “partially disabled,” but in 2003, investigators say he began falsely claiming he could no longer use his feet, causing the VA to rate him as 100% disabled.
Investigators add Stultz received funding to purchase special vehicles designed to help mobility-impaired veterans, which he sold for cash.
The VA Office of The Inspector General began its investigation when there was a report of potential fraud a few years ago.
Stultz pleaded guilty to making the false statements in January. In addition to his sentence of over a year and a half in prison, he will have three years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay back the VA in restitution.
