'Stolen Valor' Case In Lower Makefield Settled

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — A Lower Makefield man who lied about his military service, including claiming combat action he never saw, while applying for jobs will pay thousands of dollars for doing so, state officials announced.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Thursday that Tapan Patel, of Lower Makefield, has settled his case with the Bureau of Consumer Protection and Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Patel, who was accused of violating the state's Stolen Valor Act, will pay $10,000 in civil penalites and costs, $2,500 of which is suspended. Any further violations will cost him the $2,500, plus an additional $5,000 penalty, Shapiro said.

According to Shapiro, Patel is a former junior enlisted service member who never served in combat. When applying for jobs, he lied about his office, lied about combat service and lied about the awards and decorations he'd earned. He claimed to have earned a Medal of Honor, Purple Heart and "Navy War Medal," — which isn't even a real award — Shapiro said.

"This man’s decision to lie about military service and awards for personal gain is disgraceful," said Shapiro. "His actions not only violate the Stolen Valor Act, they dishonor the heroic women and men who have sacrificed to serve our country and who have been awarded the military’s highest awards.

"By holding him accountable, my office is working to protect the honors our veterans have earned."

With Veterans Day coming up on Monday, Shapiro and the Bureau of Consumer Protections are offering tips to help veterans and others avoid being scammed:

• Don’t pay for a service that is free. It is illegal for an accredited veterans’ service officer to accept any form of payment from veterans.
• Be cautious when you receive an unsolicited offer for services from an unknown source.
• Do research on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website into both the entity you are considering working with and the claims process.
• Follow recommendations and referrals of fellow veterans who have had successful experiences filing VA benefit claims with specific veterans service organizations. Always ask to see the representative’s accreditation credentials.
• Work with only certified veterans service organizations with the relevant training these are listed on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website and include representatives of organizations such as; PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, County Veteran Affairs Directors, and other organizations.

"Our veterans have sacrificed to serve our country. It’s now on us to stand up for them, make sure they aren’t being scammed, and help keep the money they’ve earned in their pockets," Shapiro said. "If you are a veteran who believes you have been victimized by a scam when filing a claim for benefits, please call or email my Office of Military and Veterans Affairs and file a complaint so we can help."

If you are solicited by someone claiming military service and want to double-check it, you may contact the Office of Attorney General's Military and Veterans Affairs by calling 717-783-1944 or emailing PAvets@attorneygeneral.gov.

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