'Fake' war hero allegedly posed as wounded Purple Heart recipient while stealing $81K from veterans group
A man's alleged deception as a decorated combat veteran came crashing down this week after officials revealed he had actually been discharged from the military for bad conduct and accused him of bilking $81,000 from a veterans group.David Agtsteribbe, 58, of Long Island, allegedly claimed to have been awarded a Purple Heart while portraying himself as a wounded war hero.He was arrested two days before Veterans Day, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.Prosecutors said Agtsteribbe was discharged as a private in 1988 after serving roughly one year in the military.He was court-martialed and pleaded guilty to stealing money from another soldier in 1987.EX-CIA OFFICER FOUND WITH OVER $40M IN GOLD BARS PLEADS GUILTY TO $194M FRAUDDavid Agtsteribbe allegedly posed as a decorated war hero and stole $81,000 from a veterans' organization, prosecutors said.
(David Agtsteribbe/Facebook)He later allegedly altered his discharge documents to portray himself with an honorable military record.The forged credentials helped him secure a position as a finance officer at a local veterans' organization, where prosecutors say he stole the group's funds to cover personal expenses."There is something particularly despicable about fabricating a military record and claiming honors you have never earned," District Attorney Raymond A.
Tierney said."This defendant allegedly took that disgraceful deception even further.He is accused of falsely portraying himself as a war hero, infiltrating an organization for those who actually served this country and then betraying their trust by stealing their money.
Our veterans earned their honors through sacrifice and service.This defendant allegedly exploited those sacrifices for his own selfish gain.
It is a shameful abuse of trust, and one that we will prosecute."WHY SCAMMERS TARGET VETERANS AND HOW TO FIGHT BACKA table displays military honors prosecutors said were "fake" during a news conference announcing charges against ...