Impersonating military vets

samiam · March 10, 2010, 01:52:50 PM

Impersonating military vets for donations would be felony under state repâ€™s bill
March 05, 2010
The Associated Press â€" A South Florida lawmaker wants to put a stop to people impersonating military veterans when soliciting donations.

State Rep. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, plans to introduce the legislation (HB 1445) Friday at a Deerfield Beach news conference. The bill would make it a felony to misrepresent oneself as a veteran or member of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard in order to collect donations from the public.

In many of Florida's major cities, paid solicitors dress in military uniforms to ask drivers and shoppers for contributions, according to a release from the House minority office Thursday.

This is good news

strider · March 10, 2010, 02:05:08 PM

Good! Glad to hear it. It's about time.

sheclown · March 10, 2010, 02:06:02 PM

Good! Glad to hear it. It's about time. --<ooops, sorry Strider, I signed on as you.>

samiam · March 10, 2010, 02:52:59 PM

Quote from: sheclown on March 10, 2010, 02:06:02 PM
Good! Glad to hear it. It's about time. --<ooops, sorry Strider, I signed on as you.>

?

Shwaz · March 10, 2010, 02:57:36 PM

Seriously, as a veteran of WWI I am appalled that some people would stoop to this level to cheat someone out of a buck. I'm taking donations to fight this all the way to Washington DC.

Jason · March 10, 2010, 03:34:46 PM

^ You youngins....always feel like you're entitled something.

Try dodging musket balls in the snow with cruddy shoes. Those damned Redcoats have yet to send me a PENNY!

In all seriousness, I think this is a fantastic law and should be passed immediately.

urbanlibertarian · March 10, 2010, 03:54:54 PM

Isn't fraud already illegal? How will a new law change anything?

Jason · March 10, 2010, 04:09:16 PM

It would now be a felony offence versus a misdemeanor.

Sportmotor · March 10, 2010, 04:24:53 PM

Quote from: Jason on March 10, 2010, 03:34:46 PM
^ You youngins....always feel like you're entitled something.

Try dodging musket balls in the snow with cruddy shoes. Those damned Redcoats have yet to send me a PENNY!

In all seriousness, I think this is a fantastic law and should be passed immediately.

PFFT Try being a Spartan in the battle of Thermopylae! We had to fight without shirts!! (not that I have a problem with running around that way)

But seriously make it felony no doubt.

finehoe · March 10, 2010, 04:41:19 PM

Quote from: urbanlibertarian on March 10, 2010, 03:54:54 PM
Isn't fraud already illegal? How will a new law change anything?

My thoughts exactly.

Dog Walker · March 10, 2010, 04:54:13 PM

There is already a law called "stolen valor" that makes it a Federal offense to claim to be a decorated veteran. No fraudulent purpose needs to be proved. Applying for veteran's benefits would be fraud, but standing on the roadside with a sign that says, "homeless vet" would be difficult to prosecute as fraud.
Pass this law. Too many jerks out there are stealing the honor of those who served.

buckethead · March 10, 2010, 05:28:01 PM

Quote from: Dog Walker on March 10, 2010, 04:54:13 PM
There is already a law called "stolen valor" that makes it a Federal offense to claim to be a decorated veteran. No fraudulent purpose needs to be proved. Applying for veteran's benefits would be fraud, but standing on the roadside with a sign that says, "homeless vet" would be difficult to prosecute as fraud.
Pass this law. Too many jerks out there are stealing the honor of those who served.

What if I'm only claiming to be a veteran of the school of hard knocks?

Dog Walker · March 10, 2010, 05:36:27 PM

You might be a drop-out from the school of hard knocks, as I am, or a veteran blogger, but don't claim to a veteran of military service unless you are one! LOL!

buckethead · March 10, 2010, 05:38:44 PM

So vagueness is the way around any such ordinance?

sheclown · March 10, 2010, 06:37:05 PM

It really is outrageous