BOSTON, MA – Paul John Herbert, a 54-year-old former U.S. Marine from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to submitting false statements to the Marine Corps in an attempt to obtain a Purple Heart that he did not deserve.
Herbert admitted to one count of making false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) starting October 13, 2010. He fabricated claims regarding injuries caused by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to support his disability compensation claim, leading the VA to overpay him $344,040 between January 2010 and March 2023.
Additionally, Herbert falsely requested assistance from his congressman on October 24, 2018, for a Purple Heart application, submitting a notarized letter that falsely stated he had been injured by a roadside explosion while in service.
In her statement, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley emphasized the integrity of the Purple Heart, noting that it is a solemn recognition of military service members who have sacrificed while on duty. Foley said, “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.”
The charge of making false statements carries severe penalties, including up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled Herbert’s sentencing for June 17, 2025.
Herbert’s case underscores the consequences of dishonesty when it comes to military service and the importance of safeguarding veterans’ benefits from fraudulent claims.
