HONOLULU - United States District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced Cody Joslin, age 32,
to 18 months in prison today for theft of funds from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (the
“VA"). Joslin pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2017, to receiving VA benefits to which he was not
entitled by falsely claiming that he suffered from combat-related injuries and trauma.
“The VA provides valuable services to the men and women who serve this country, but like all
government agencies, it is susceptible to abuse by dishonest people," said Kenji Price, United
States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “Our office will continue to investigate and prosecute
to the fullest extent of the law those who use deception to obtain vital resources that should
rightfully go to veterans who are truly in need."
“This conviction demonstrates the VA Office of Inspector General’s unwavering commitment to protect
the programs intended to assist veterans that have served this nation and rightfully earned their
benefits," said Special Agent in Charge James Wahleithner, VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal
Investigations Division.
According to court documents and information presented in court, Joslin was in the U.S. Army for
approximately nine months, and never served in a combat zone or overseas.
Nevertheless, Joslin submitted paperwork to the VA claiming that he suffered from Post- Traumatic
Stress Disorder and tinnitus as a result of multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. To
support these claims, he fabricated stories about engaging in active combat, and about witnessing
combat-related deaths of friends, and injuries from rocket propelled grenades (RPGs). Joslin also
submitted fake military certifications purporting to show that he received certain combat awards.
He purchased these certifications online from a veteran who had been previously convicted for
possession and sale of counterfeit U.S. documents. As a result of these false claims, Joslin
received over $48,000 in VA disability benefits to which he was not entitled.
At today’s sentencing, Judge Seabright commented that Joslin had engaged in a “gross abuse" of the
VA system by claiming he was a “war hero" when he wasn’t, conduct Judge Seabright called
“reprehensible on many levels." In addition to a term of imprisonment, Joslin
must also pay $48,595.11 in restitution to the VA.
The case was investigated by the VA Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca A. Perlmutter.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
