Ex-VFW Commander Accused Of Stolen Valor Facing 4 Felony Charges

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Federal officials charged former North Kingstown VFW commander Sarah Cavanaugh with four felony counts in connection to accusations she lied about serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

According to court documents, Cavanaugh, 31, of Warwick, knowingly altered a military discharge certificate, lied about having lung cancer and earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star to get financial help and stole a veteran's identity. Prosecutors said Canvanaugh used a false identity to claim she served in the Marine Corps from 2009-2016, achieved the rank of corporal;and was wounded in action in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Cavanaugh was charged with using or exhibiting a forged or counterfeited military or naval discharge certificates, fraud by wire, radio or television, collectively military medals or decorations and aggravated identity theft.

Cavanaugh has served as commander of VFW Post 152 since October 2020. She began drawing scrutiny after she claimed to be fighting stage IV lung cancer. HunterSeven Foundation, a veterans organization in Providence, said it's refunding donations it collected after sharing Cavanuagh's story on Instagram, Task & Purpose reported.

"To be clear, no monies were received by this individual, HunterSeven Foundation did not raise funds for this individual specifically, and any donations that were a result after sharing this individual's story were refunded to their original form of payment through our online fundraising platform," the foundation told Task & Purpose. "We are disheartened by this circumstance, but will not allow it to derail us from our mission and helping those in need."

Cavanaugh was granted release under a $50,000 bond. If convicted of the wire fraud charge, Cavanaugh could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.