Fake veteran faces 'stolen valor' charge

Fake veteran faces 'stolen valor' charge
Story Highlights
Richard Strandlof said he survived 9/11 Pentagon attack, Iraq bombing

In June, Strandlof admitted he lied

Penalty for stolen valor is up to one year in jail, up to $100,000 fine

Strandlof formed Colorado Veterans Alliance

(CNN) -- Richard Strandlof said he survived the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon. He said he survived again when a roadside bomb went off in Iraq, killing four fellow Marines. He'd point to his head and tell people he had a metal plate, collateral damage from the explosion.

None of it was true. On Friday, the FBI arrested him on the rare charge of "stolen valor."

Strandlof, 32, was held "for false claims about receipt of military decorations or medals," an FBI news release said. Charges had been filed in Denver, Colorado, the week before, the bureau.

"The penalty for his crime is up to one year incarceration and a $100,000 fine," it said.

Before his deception was revealed, crowds ate up his story. He canvassed Colorado appearing at the sides of politicians. Inspiring and seemingly authentic, he spoke on behalf of veterans at the state Capitol.

He formed a group called the Colorado Veterans Alliance.

The whole thing was a lie, he admitted to CNN's Anderson Cooper earlier this year. Watch Strandlof discuss case in June. »

He wasn't at the Pentagon. He was never a Marine. He never served his country. He never graduated from the Naval Academy. He claimed his real name was Rick Duncan.
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http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/12/fake.veteran/

Colorado Veterans Alliance begun by impostor

Local veterans advocate exposed as impostor
Story By: Susan Davies
Source: KOAA

Published Wed May 13, 2009, 09:47 PM MDT
Updated Thu May 14, 2009, 05:41 AM MDT

He was a local activist for veterans issues who claimed to be a 9-1-1 survivor. He said he was a marine captain serving three tours of duty in Iraq and wounded in the line of duty. But federal investigators say he lied about all of it - even his name.

The man we knew as Rick Duncan was an advocate for homeless veterans. He started the Colorado Veterans Alliance. But fellow veterans say he was really 31 year old Richard Strandlof - a former mental patient who never served in the military.
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Local veterans advocate exposed as impostor