samurai7
September 22nd, 2008, 11:24 pm
Pentagon 9/11 Hero A Fraudster?
Navy commander, a Purple Heart recipient, accused in 331k con
SEPTEMBER 22--A Navy commander who was awarded the Purple Heart for his rescue efforts at the Pentagon on September 11 fraudulently obtained $331,000 from the federal Victim Compensation Fund by lying about the extent of injuries he suffered during the terrorist attack, prosecutors allege. Though Charles Coughlin, 49, claimed that he had a "partial, permanent disability," Department of Justice investigators allege that, following the 2001 attack, Coughlin engaged in an array of strenuous physical activities, including completing the New York City Marathon two months after the Pentagon attack (Coughlin ran the 26.2 mille race in a crisp 3:43). According to a U.S. District Court forfeiture complaint, Coughlin submitted "false written statements" and made "material misrepresentations" to the VCF "in order to obtain funds to which he was not entitled." The September 18 complaint, a copy of which you'll find below, seeks the seizure of a Maryland property Coughlin and his wife purchased with a portion of the $331,034 VCF payment. The complaint, which accuses Coughlin of hatching a mail and wire fraud scheme, notes that he claimed to have been "struck on the head by falling debris" after the Pentagon was hit by a hijacked American Airlines jet. Coughlin, now retired, added that he also inadvertently hit his head when he "re-entered the Pentagon to assist in rescue efforts." While Coughlin claimed these injuries were severe, federal investigators discovered that he "continued to participate in physical activities, including competitive lacrosse, basketball, and running." He also allegedly misrepresented details about pre-9/11 neck and shoulder injuries and his use of prescription pain drugs. Coughlin did not respond to a message left Monday afternoon with his wife. His lawyer, John Bourgeois, told TSG that he is representing Coughlin in connection with an ongoing grand jury proceeding, but could not comment on the forfeiture application since he had not seen the document. (12 pages)
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0922081navy1.html
I mean we are not talking about some two bit hoodlum trying to rob a convenience store (like you see on world's dumbest criminals). We are talking about a Pentagon, Purple Heart recipient, and he wasn't smarter than this??????????????
How STUPID can you be????????????? If they are going to give you $331,000, for supposed disabilities and you are running in a freaking marathon, they ARE going to notice. :))
I mean GIVE ME A BREAK! Like there would be no picture taking of him at this marathon. Two Months after 9/11 he participates in a MARATHON?????????? :))
What a MORON! :)) If you are going to pull off something like that, you would THINK he would have the good sense to NOT be doing things IN PUBLIC that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt he doesn't have a disability.
I mean I can't help laughing because of the guy's greed and stupidity, and that he is getting what he deserves. But it should also make people angry, because there were a lot of good people that died that day and a lot of real heros. It's a disgrace to have someone like this tarnish their memory.
He deserves all the derision he will get. :))
Navy commander, a Purple Heart recipient, accused in 331k con
SEPTEMBER 22--A Navy commander who was awarded the Purple Heart for his rescue efforts at the Pentagon on September 11 fraudulently obtained $331,000 from the federal Victim Compensation Fund by lying about the extent of injuries he suffered during the terrorist attack, prosecutors allege. Though Charles Coughlin, 49, claimed that he had a "partial, permanent disability," Department of Justice investigators allege that, following the 2001 attack, Coughlin engaged in an array of strenuous physical activities, including completing the New York City Marathon two months after the Pentagon attack (Coughlin ran the 26.2 mille race in a crisp 3:43). According to a U.S. District Court forfeiture complaint, Coughlin submitted "false written statements" and made "material misrepresentations" to the VCF "in order to obtain funds to which he was not entitled." The September 18 complaint, a copy of which you'll find below, seeks the seizure of a Maryland property Coughlin and his wife purchased with a portion of the $331,034 VCF payment. The complaint, which accuses Coughlin of hatching a mail and wire fraud scheme, notes that he claimed to have been "struck on the head by falling debris" after the Pentagon was hit by a hijacked American Airlines jet. Coughlin, now retired, added that he also inadvertently hit his head when he "re-entered the Pentagon to assist in rescue efforts." While Coughlin claimed these injuries were severe, federal investigators discovered that he "continued to participate in physical activities, including competitive lacrosse, basketball, and running." He also allegedly misrepresented details about pre-9/11 neck and shoulder injuries and his use of prescription pain drugs. Coughlin did not respond to a message left Monday afternoon with his wife. His lawyer, John Bourgeois, told TSG that he is representing Coughlin in connection with an ongoing grand jury proceeding, but could not comment on the forfeiture application since he had not seen the document. (12 pages)
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0922081navy1.html
I mean we are not talking about some two bit hoodlum trying to rob a convenience store (like you see on world's dumbest criminals). We are talking about a Pentagon, Purple Heart recipient, and he wasn't smarter than this??????????????
How STUPID can you be????????????? If they are going to give you $331,000, for supposed disabilities and you are running in a freaking marathon, they ARE going to notice. :))
I mean GIVE ME A BREAK! Like there would be no picture taking of him at this marathon. Two Months after 9/11 he participates in a MARATHON?????????? :))
What a MORON! :)) If you are going to pull off something like that, you would THINK he would have the good sense to NOT be doing things IN PUBLIC that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt he doesn't have a disability.
I mean I can't help laughing because of the guy's greed and stupidity, and that he is getting what he deserves. But it should also make people angry, because there were a lot of good people that died that day and a lot of real heros. It's a disgrace to have someone like this tarnish their memory.
He deserves all the derision he will get. :))