Discharged Army Vet Claimed PTSD Benefits from Fake Tour in
Afghanistan
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A discharged veteran of the military who
reaped monetary benefits for faking a mental health condition triggered by a
combat experience that did not occur, and who falsely claimed to have earned
two of the highest honors bestowed for military service entered a guilty plea
in federal court Wednesday for his crimes, announced Charles “Charlie” Peeler,
the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Gregg Ramsdell, 61, of
Columbus, entered a guilty plea to one count of false statements and one count
of violation of the Stolen Valor Act before U.S. District Judge Clay Land on
Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Defendant Ramsdell is facing a maximum five years
in prison and a $250,000 fine for false statements and a maximum one year in
prison and a $250,000 fine for stolen valor. Sentencing is scheduled for March
23, 2020. There is no parole in the federal system.
Defendant Ramsdell admitted that he falsely claimed to have
suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he applied for disability
payments from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) on September 7, 2014. Defendant
Ramsdell wrote that he witnessed horrible atrocities during deployment in
Afghanistan from October 2008 to March 2009. Among other stressors, he stated
he had seen "men, women and children being executed. Women holding babies
while detonating themselves. IED explosions causing severe bodily injuries and death.
Retrieving body parts and bagging them. Having blood and body excrements being
blown onto my uniform." He also falsely claimed that these experiences
made him “unable to live a normal life.” As a result of Defendant Ramsdell’s
false claims, the VA gave him added PTSD benefits retroactive to his military
discharge date of June 1, 2014 totaling $76,000. In truth, Defendant Ramsdell
was not in Afghanistan during that period of time that he claimed to witness
the atrocities that supported his false PTSD claim, and he admitted to
investigators that he lied about having PTSD. In addition, Defendant Ramsdell
applied for and attained a coveted civilian position at U.S. Army Fort Benning
in 2017, in part because his resume listed that he was both a Silver Star and Purple
Heart with Cluster recipient. He never received these honors.
“Faking serious wartime injuries to gain undeserved benefit,
and claiming valor where there is none, do a disservice to our brave veterans
and service members who selflessly risk their lives protecting this country,”
said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “Fraud of this kind and theft of taxpayer
money will not be tolerated, and we will continue to prosecute those who commit
such crimes. I want to thank the FBI investigators assigned to this case for
their excellent work.”
“Ramsdell’s actions are an insult to every veteran who has
served our country, and in particular every veteran who suffered physical or
mental trauma because of their honorable commitment and valor,” said Chris
Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is committed to
seeking justice for anyone who lies about serving our country, and who
illegally takes money from federal programs that help veterans who rightfully
deserve it.”
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a crime for people to
pass themselves off as war heroes in order to claim money, employment, property
or other tangible benefits. The Silver Star medal is the third highest honor
bestowed by the U.S. Army. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to members of the
U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded or killed in battle. An additional Oak Leaf
Cluster is given to Army and Air Force service members to indicate being
wounded in combat on more than one occasion.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S.
Attorney Melvin Hyde is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can
be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States
Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director
(Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.