BOSTON, MA — State Representative Jim Miceli and the Massachusetts House of Representatives joined together and voted unanimously to provide additional, stiff penalties for state prosecutors to pursue civilians masquerading as servicemen and women for financial gain. Federal law currently prohibits false claims of military medals, awards, and honors for monetary purposes, but the Massachusetts law would expand the definition of Stolen Valor to anything service related, including false claims of time spent in the service. Currently, as the law now stands, individuals prosecuted under the Massachusetts Stolen Valor act stand a fine up to $1,000 and a year in prison. While 15 other states have additional Stolen Valor acts on the book, the new Massachusetts law is widely considered as one of the strongest in the nation.
“It really upsets me that someone may use the sacrifices of our service-members for their own personal, selfish, financial gain. How a criminal has a clean conscious after making false claims is beyond me, but this law will make sure that prosecutors and veterans have the legal tools they need to protect the valor the veterans rightfully earned” said Representative Miceli upon the passing of the bill. “I know that that the police departments, prosecutors, and judges across the Commonwealth will put this new law to good use.”
In addition to the Stolen Valor Act, the House of Representatives also approved a number of other veteran-related bills. Recipients of the Purple Heart, the armed services oldest medal awarded to those killed or wounded in combat by enemy action, will be granted free access to any state park, forest, or reservation. Also unanimously passed was an act which increased penalties already on the law books for those caught desecrating veterans’ graves. While previously criminal vandals faced fines and jail time by the state criminals are now also forced to pay restitution to the property owner and veteran’s families, so those afflicted would not burden potential repair costs.
(NOTE: The above press release is from State Rep. Jim Miceli’s Office.)
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