Ex-VFW Commander Pleads Guilty In Stolen Valor Scandal

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The former commander of the North Kingstown VFW post pleaded guilty to four felony charges in connection to accusations she lied about serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and having cancer to collect benefits.

Sarah Cavanaugh, 31, of East Greenwich, pleaded guilty Tuesday to fraud, aggravated identity theft, forgery, and fraudulent use of medals, according to the U.S. Attorney’s District of Rhode Island Office.

Cavanaugh, who never served in any branch of the U.S. military, used her job as a social worker at the Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center, to access person information and medical records belonging to a marine and a cancer-stricken U.S. Navy veteran, prosecutors said.

Cavanaugh used the information to create false documents and medical records in her name, claiming that she was an honorably-discharged marine stricken with cancer, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Cavanaugh used the fraudulent documents in various schemes to steal more than $250,000 in cash, charitable donations and services reserved for injured veterans.

Prosecutors said Cavanaugh also pretended to be a wounded veteran who served overseas, claiming she earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In reality, she bought replicas and publicly displayed them on a U.S. Marine uniform she wore at public events.

Cavanaugh's sentence will be determined by a federal judge.

Also read:

• Ex-VFW Commander Accused Of Stolen Valor Facing 4 Felony Charges
• N. Kingstown VFW Commander Resigns Amid Stolen Valor Allegations