N.J. official accused of faking combat record

[unhappycamper]

N.J. official accused of faking combat record
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 26, 2008 18:45:54 EST

TRENTON, N.J. — An official in the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has been accused of falsifying his veteran and government records in order to receive a tax exemption and medical benefits.

William Devereaux, the department’s director of veterans programs, was arrested Monday, issued a summons and released. A court hearing has not yet been scheduled.

In announcing the arrest on Wednesday, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said the 63-year-old Laurel Springs resident invented a false history of combat heroism in the Vietnam War. The prosecutor’s office said its investigation was prompted by information provided by the county Office of Veterans Affairs.

Prosecutors said Devereaux falsely claimed on military benefits forms for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that he served as a paratrooper and artilleryman during the war and was injured multiple times. He also claimed to have received medals including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” device.

Authorities said Devereaux served as a payroll distribution specialist in Vietnam for about 4½ months in 1968 and never served as a paratrooper or artilleryman. They also said he never received the medals he claimed to have and that there was no record of his being injured in combat.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_false_claims_112608/%2e