An Antrim con artist pleaded guilty to scamming the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) out of over $660K by faking a disability, authorities said today. Christopher Stultz, 49, admitted in federal court to fabricating a tale of total disability to pocket $662,871.77 in VA benefits, according to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young where sentencing for his fraud has been set for May 6.
For more than 19 years, Stultz duped the VA into believing he was unable to use his feet, this lie not only increased his monthly VA benefits but also awarded him fancy funding for special cars and vehicle adaptations under the VA's Automobile Adaptive Equipment program, designed to help veterans who really can't get around without help, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Yet surveillance showed Stultz lifting his wheelchair into a car and walking normally in malls, proving his deceit, beginning in 2003 and continuing all the way through December 2022 Stultz continued to unlawfully receive benefits, as detailed in the announcement from the Justice Department.
Antrim Man Pleads Guilty to Faking a Disability to Fraudulently Obtain $660,000 in Veterans Benefitshttps://t.co/z5lVNonxzi
— U.S. Attorney NH (@USAO_NH) January 26, 2024
Stultz's phony disability act was exposed after witnesses reported they had never seen him use a wheelchair or other ambulatory devices and surveillance footage caught him walking without assistance, in stark contrast to his supposed need for mobility aids. The VA cut him a check each month, based on his false claim of being 100% disabled, and the charade went on for nearly two decades.
According to the charging statute, Stultz faces up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release; the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutes will influence the final decision of his punishment, the VA's Office of the Inspector General led the investigation into Stultz's long con with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuting the case which has a potential to send a strong message to those who would steal from government programs meant to aid our nation's veterans.
