Idaho man gets prison for stealing vet benefits

[unhappycamper]

Idaho man gets prison for stealing vet benefits
By John Miller - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 7, 2009 9:09:23 EST

BOISE, Idaho — A witness in a 2005 Idaho murder solicitation case will spend a year and a day in federal prison after being found guilty of defrauding the government of nearly $100,000 in veterans’ benefits.

Elven Joe Swisher, 71, of Cottonwood, was convicted last year of wearing unauthorized military medals, presenting false statements and documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs and theft of government funds.

Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced him Monday to the prison term, as well as still-unspecified restitution and three years of supervision.

Swisher was among at least eight people from the northwestern U.S. charged in 2007 with faking their military service in conflicts dating to World War II. Federal prosecutors say he falsely posed as a veteran of the Korean War.

In 2005, Swisher was a witness in the federal trial of northcentral Idaho businessman David Hinkson, who was accused of plotting to kill a federal judge, prosecutor and tax agent.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_stolenvalor_010709/%2e