A Rhode Island girl who lied about being an injured Marine Corps veteran identified with most cancers was sentenced to almost six years in jail and ordered to pay again full restitution on Tuesday.
Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, 32, collected greater than $250,000 in charitable contributions, veteran advantages, and donations throughout her stolen valor run.
“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to those who would represent themselves as something they’re not in order to profit from the kindness and respect shown to our nation’s deserving veterans,” Particular Agent in Cost Christopher Algieri of the Division of Veterans Affairs Workplace of Inspector Basic’s Northeast Subject Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
The fraudster, whose stolen valor stint lasted over 5 years, acquired Marine Corps service uniforms to put on to public occasions and speeches whereas displaying a Purple Coronary heart and Bronze Star with a “V” system for valor in fight on her chest.
Cavanaugh claimed she served in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2009 till 2016 and had been wounded by an IED (improvised explosive system) whereas serving in Iraq.
She claimed burn pits and inhaling particulate matter from an explosive precipitated her lung most cancers.
9 veterans’ charities dished out funds to Cavanaugh, which she used to pay for bodily remedy, in-home care, retreats, fitness center membership and electrical payments, and even present playing cards for groceries and different necessities.
Cavanaugh obtained $207,000 from the Wounded Warriors Challenge between 2017 and 2021, in keeping with the Division of Veterans Affairs inspector common’s workplace.
In an influence assertion submitted to the court docket, a veteran that Cavanaugh met by way of the Wounded Warrior Challenge slammed the scammer, saying she took a therapeutic veterans artwork program that might have been utilized by a veteran in want of care.
The unidentified veteran revealed {that a} good friend — who was additionally a veteran — utilized for the spot however was denied and finally took their very own life, the court docket doc exhibits.
Cavanaugh raised $4,700 whereas fundraising funds to assist pay for medical payments brought on by the fabricated damage.
Cavanaugh pleaded responsible to aggravated id theft, solid army discharge certificates, fraudulent use of army medals, and 4 counts of wire fraud in July 2022.
“By brazenly laying claim to the honor, service, and sacrifice of real veterans, this defendant preyed on the charity and decency of others for her own shameless financial gain,” US Legal professional Zachary A. Cunha mentioned in an announcement.
Suspicion of her false id didn’t come up till early 2022.
The HunterSeven Basis — a veteran-based charitable group — carried out a background examine into her army service after she utilized for funds and found she was a social employee for the Veterans Affairs Medical Heart in Windfall.
Cavanaugh’s lawyer, Kensley Barrett, had sought a decrease sentence, citing her lack of felony historical past and the “significant price” she has paid by way of humiliation.
She initially confronted a most sentence of 24 years earlier than her plea settlement.
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