A former U.S. Marine, Paul John Herbert, 54, from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, has admitted guilt in a federal court in Springfield for submitting a false Purple Heart application to the United States Marine Corps through his local Congressman. The charge against Herbert is making false statements.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has set the sentencing date for June 17, 2025. Herbert was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case: “Military veterans deserve the respect of every citizen for their service to our country... Mr. Herbert knew that he did not deserve this widely recognized and respected award but that did not stop him from lying about a traumatic brain injury and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability benefits.”
Special Agent Christopher Algieri from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office remarked on holding Herbert accountable: “Today’s guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for falsifying his service record to steal funds intended for our nation’s deserving veterans.”
Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), emphasized ongoing efforts: “We are committed to investigating individuals who falsely represent themselves as decorated veterans and steal benefits intended for our nation’s servicemembers.”
Herbert's fraudulent activities began on October 13, 2010, when he submitted multiple false statements regarding IED-related injuries to support a disability compensation claim with the VA. As a result of these false claims, he received $344,040 in overpayments between January 1, 2010 and March 1, 2023.
On October 24, 2018, Herbert requested assistance from his Congressman with his Purple Heart application by providing a notarized letter falsely claiming an injury from a roadside explosion.
The charge carries potential penalties including up to five years imprisonment, three years supervised release and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Foley along with VA-OIG SAC Algieri and DCIS SAC Hegarty. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg.
