The commander at the VFW Post 2420 in Lake Wales said they’ve just discovered another phony veteran in their area.
Polk County VFW Post Commander Gerald Menard said they investigated Harold Kauffman’s background after he bragged about having two purple hearts and a bronze star.
After searching through military records they found out Kauffman was lying.
Kauffman did serve in the military but admits he lied to veterans, his family and to the state when he got a purple heart specialty license plate.
“He is a fraud," said Menard. "He is a disgrace to the U.S military. He fraudulently said he had two purple hearts and a bronze star.”
Lake Wales Mayor Eugene Fultz, who is also a veteran, said he’s shocked at the accusations.
“I am really outdone with how many people are trying to pass themselves off as deserving veterans of certain benefits,” Fultz said.
Kauffman apologized about the lies he told.
“I’m so sorry I lied about a purple heart and I lied about a bronze star, and I apologize to everybody in the nation,” he said.
When asked why he did it, he blamed it on drinking. But Menard said it’s still a crime and they want Kauffman to be punished.
“He falls under the Stolen Valor Act assigned by the president last year in May," Menard said. "These are federal crimes."
If convicted under the Stolen Valor Act, Kauffman could serve prison time and have to pay thousands of dollars in fines.