Legislation being proposed at the Wisconsin Capitol would allow local prosecutors to go after people who falsely claim to be a military veteran.
State Senator Roger Roth (R-Appleton) says the issue of people posing as veterans has become an issue, as more programs are created to help those who have served their country. He says “the outpouring of support from out country has been fantastic, but it’s also been an opportunity for those who want to try to game that system to use that fraudulently.”
Roth, a veteran of the Iraq War serving with the Wisconsin Air National Guard, says it’s shameful that someone would impersonate a veteran.
Under current law, only federal prosecutors can handle cases where someone has posed as a veteran. Roth’s bill would allow local prosecutors to charge someone with a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the situation.
WHBY