Paul John Herbert, Theft of Government Money and Making False Statements, Massachusetts 2023

Former Marine Arrested for Stealing More than $344,000 in Government Benefits

A former United States Marine has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mass. for allegedly stealing benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs and submitting a false Purple Heart application to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman.

Paul John Herbert, 52, of Shelburne Falls, Mass., was indicted on one count of theft of government money and one count of making false statements. Herbert was arrested this morning and was released on conditions following an initial appearance today in federal court in Springfield, Mass.

“Mr. Herbert’s alleged conduct is an affront to every veteran who has sacrificed to earn the honor of a Purple Heart and who is deserving of disability benefits. According to the indictment, he not only stole tens of thousands of dollars in disability benefits that are supposed to be used to help veterans in need, but he also falsely claimed to have suffered a traumatic brain injury during his deployment in an effort to receive a Purple Heart he didn’t deserve,” said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

The indictment alleges that Herbert stole more than $344,000 in veterans disability benefits from Jan. 1, 2010 to March 11, 2023. In addition, on Oct. 24, 2018, Herbert allegedly submitted an application for a Purple Heart award to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman, in which Herbert falsely stated that he had suffered injuries, including traumatic brain injury, from a roadside explosion while deployed to Northern Iraq.

The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of making a false statement provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, VA-OIG SAC Algieri and DCIS SAC Hegarty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Paul John Herbert, a 52-year-old former Marine from Shelburne Falls, Mass., was arrested this morning and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, Mass. Herbert is charged with one count of theft of government money and one count of making false statements. He allegedly stole more than $344,000 in veterans disability benefits from Jan. 1, 2010 to March 11, 2023, and submitted a false Purple Heart application to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-marine-arrested-stealing-more-344000-government-benefits-and-submitting-false