MA Ex-Marine Accused Of Stealing $344K And Lying For Purple Heart

BOSTON, MA — A former United States Marine from Shelburne Falls was indicted after being accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in veterans disability benefits and submitting a false Purple Heart Application, the Department of Justice said in a news release Friday.

Paul John Herbert, 52, was arrested Friday morning and indicted on one count of theft of government money and one count of making false statements, officials said. He was then released following an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, according to officials.

According to the indictment, Herbert stole more than $344,000 in veterans' disability benefits from Jan. 1, 2010 to March 11 of this year, officials said. He is also accused of submitting an application for a Purple Heart award to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman, in which officials said he falsely stated that he had suffered a 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 carries 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.

"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," United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy wrote in the news release. "Every day, thousands of brave members of the military selflessly risk their lives to protect our country. Stealing from our country’s veterans or claiming valor where there is none is an insult to the honorable service members who sacrifice for our safety."