Trial set to begin at Fort Bragg for general facing sex charges
The Associated Press
BY MICHAEL BIESECKER
March 4, 2014 Updated 1 hour ago
FORT BRAGG — Once a rising star among the U.S. Army's top battle commanders, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair is now fighting sexual assault charges that could land him life in a military prison if convicted.
Sinclair, who was the deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne, was set to appear Tuesday in a Fort Bragg courtroom to face court martial on criminal charges that include physically forcing a female captain under his command to perform oral sex.
While denying that accusation, lawyers for the married father of two have said he carried on a three-year extramarital affair with the junior officer during war tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The admission of an affair will almost certainly end his Army career.
Sinclair, 51, has pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges including forcible sodomy, indecent acts, violating orders, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
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Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Marine deserter accused of murder and beating another woman
Marine deserter's motive for Ore. attacks remains a mystery
The Associated Press
March 3, 2014
PENDLETON, ORE. — Although he talked freely about how he committed the crimes, it’s still unclear why a Marine deserter from California fatally stabbed an Eastern Oregon motel maid and beat another woman with a metal pipe, an investigator says.
Lukah Chang pleaded guilty in January and has been sentenced to life in prison for the two attacks that unnerved Pendleton.
In an extensive story that also reported on an interview with Chang’s sister, the East Oregonian described law enforcement authorities as still puzzled about Chang’s motive.
“I don’t think even he can answer that,” said Police Chief Stuart Roberts. “If he could, he would have.”
In July 2012, Chang got on a bus and left the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. He arrived at Pendleton in Eastern Oregon in August.
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The Associated Press
March 3, 2014
PENDLETON, ORE. — Although he talked freely about how he committed the crimes, it’s still unclear why a Marine deserter from California fatally stabbed an Eastern Oregon motel maid and beat another woman with a metal pipe, an investigator says.
Lukah Chang pleaded guilty in January and has been sentenced to life in prison for the two attacks that unnerved Pendleton.
In an extensive story that also reported on an interview with Chang’s sister, the East Oregonian described law enforcement authorities as still puzzled about Chang’s motive.
“I don’t think even he can answer that,” said Police Chief Stuart Roberts. “If he could, he would have.”
In July 2012, Chang got on a bus and left the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. He arrived at Pendleton in Eastern Oregon in August.
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Monday, March 3, 2014
Quadruple Amputee on Late Night Show tonight
UPDATE
Wounded warrior Brendan Marrocco visits 'Late Show with David Letterman' (with video)
By Mark D. Stein/Staten Island Advance
March 03, 2014
U.S. Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, the rare recipient of a double arm transplant, will appear on "Late Show with David Letterman" during the 11:35 p.m. telecast on CBS tonight to discuss his surgery.
He'll be joined by his surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lee.
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UPI forgot there are 5 quadruple amputees
His biggest applause of the night came at the end of the segment, when he told of his recent experience attending the Daytona 500 as its special honoree."They're singing the National Anthem, and all of a sudden I realize to myself that I'm holding my hand over my heart...thinking how (expletive) cool is this." Brendan Marrocco, soldier who lost four limbs in 2009 attack, to appear on 'Late Show with David Letterman' Monday
By Mark D. Stein/Staten Island Advance
March 03, 2014
Retired Infantryman Brendan M. Marrocco wheels himself into a news conference followed by lead surgeon W.P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Tuesday, Jan. 29. 2013 at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore. Marrocco received a transplant of two arms from a deceased donor after losing all four limbs in a 2009 roadside bomb attack in Iraq.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The hero soldier from Prince’s Bay who lost all four limbs in Iraq will be appearing on television sets across the country Monday.
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
U.S. Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, the rare recipient of a double arm transplant, will appear on "Late Show with David Letterman" during the 11:35 p.m. telecast on CBS tonight to discuss his surgery.
He'll be joined by his surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lee.
read more here
UPI forgot there are 5 quadruple amputees
Reno Veterans Administration office ranks worst in the nation for claims
RGJ Investigates: Reno VA office ranks worst in nation for processing veterans' claims
Reno's Veterans Administration office ranks worst in the nation for processing veterans' benefit claims
Ray Hagar
March 2, 2014
Since Sgt. Michael Alarcon was discharged from active duty with the Nevada Army National Guard last summer, his life has turned into a purgatory of paperwork and despair.
Severely injured by a bomb in Iraq in 2009, the veteran’s spine is held together with rods and pins. Although he recovered enough to return to active duty, complications from the injury now leave him in daily pain. He recently underwent surgery to repair a shoulder injured in his final weeks of active duty, and he needs additional surgeries because of complications from his spinal injury.
After his discharge in June after 23 years of military service, Alarcon began applying to receive disability benefits from the Veterans Administration, a process that is still unresolved eight months later.
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Reno's Veterans Administration office ranks worst in the nation for processing veterans' benefit claims
Ray Hagar
March 2, 2014
Since Sgt. Michael Alarcon was discharged from active duty with the Nevada Army National Guard last summer, his life has turned into a purgatory of paperwork and despair.
Severely injured by a bomb in Iraq in 2009, the veteran’s spine is held together with rods and pins. Although he recovered enough to return to active duty, complications from the injury now leave him in daily pain. He recently underwent surgery to repair a shoulder injured in his final weeks of active duty, and he needs additional surgeries because of complications from his spinal injury.
After his discharge in June after 23 years of military service, Alarcon began applying to receive disability benefits from the Veterans Administration, a process that is still unresolved eight months later.
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VA claim fraud received over $9,000 a month
Holland man, 56, charged with fraud in getting VA, workers’ comp benefits
Buffalo News
NEWS STAFF REPORT
March 2, 2014
A Holland man has been charged with receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration and workers’ compensation under false pretenses, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced.
Richard L. Klaffka, 56, was charged with making false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud and fraud.
Conviction on the charges could carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Klaffka has been receiving more than $9,000 per month in tax-free benefits from both government entities as a result of his false claims, according to the complaint.
Beginning in 2008, Klaffka told the Veterans Administration that, as a result of an injury connected with his military service in 1978, he was confined to a wheelchair and unable to engage in everyday activities such as walking, driving and dressing himself or both, according to the criminal complaint.
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Buffalo News
NEWS STAFF REPORT
March 2, 2014
The defendant was already receiving benefits for the service-related injury and was appealing for a significant increase in those benefits, Hochul said.
A Holland man has been charged with receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration and workers’ compensation under false pretenses, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced.
Richard L. Klaffka, 56, was charged with making false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud and fraud.
Conviction on the charges could carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Klaffka has been receiving more than $9,000 per month in tax-free benefits from both government entities as a result of his false claims, according to the complaint.
Beginning in 2008, Klaffka told the Veterans Administration that, as a result of an injury connected with his military service in 1978, he was confined to a wheelchair and unable to engage in everyday activities such as walking, driving and dressing himself or both, according to the criminal complaint.
read more here
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