Fake Hero: Ramsdell Gets Max Sentence for VA Scam

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Gregg Ramsdell, 61, of Columbus, is trading his false claims of heroism for a year behind bars. The discharged veteran was sentenced to the maximum 12 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $76,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Tuesday, August 18, after pleading guilty to one count of false statements and one count of violation of the Stolen Valor Act. No parole. Ramsdell systematically defrauded the VA by fabricating a combat record and mental health diagnosis.

The scheme unfolded with a September 7, 2014 application for disability benefits, where Ramsdell spun a gruesome tale of atrocities witnessed during a purported deployment to Afghanistan from October 2008 to March 2009. He detailed horrific scenes – executions, suicide bombings, IED explosions, and the grim task of collecting body parts – claiming these experiences rendered him unable to lead a normal life. The VA, believing his lies, awarded him $76,000 in retroactive PTSD benefits. Investigators later discovered Ramsdell was nowhere near Afghanistan during the claimed period and that his PTSD diagnosis was a complete fabrication.

But the deceit didn’t stop there. In 2017, Ramsdell leveraged his false military record to secure a civilian position at U.S. Army Fort Benning. His resume brazenly listed him as a recipient of both the Silver Star and Purple Heart with Cluster – medals he never earned. This added layer of fraud underscored a calculated effort to exploit his manufactured heroism for personal gain.

U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler minced no words, stating, “Ramsdell’s conduct does a disservice to all of those who exhibit true valor, serving honorably and courageously in our nation’s armed forces. He will pay the penalty for claiming to be the hero he was not, and reaping monetary benefits reserved for our nation’s true heroes.” Peeler also praised the collaborative effort of the FBI and the VA in exposing the fraud.

David Spilker, Special Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General, emphasized the seriousness of “Stolen Valor,” stating, “The sentence imposed on Ramsdell sends a clear message that anyone who falsely claims to have received our Nation’s most valorous medals earned through combat and service will be held accountable.” Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, added, “Anyone who lies about serving our country to illegally take tax payer money from federal programs that help deserving veterans must be held accountable to the full extent of our laws.”

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 specifically criminalizes falsely claiming military honors to obtain money, employment, or other benefits. The Silver Star is the nation’s third-highest military honor, while the Purple Heart recognizes those wounded or killed in action. Ramsdell’s actions were a blatant insult to those who have legitimately earned these distinctions, and his sentence serves as a stark warning: exploiting the sacrifices of others will not be tolerated.

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