Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KTVU) - Gregory Allen has long claimed to be an ex-marine lieutenant, decorated for bravery in Vietnam.
But as he stood in front of the gym he owns in downtown San Rafael that trains young people for the military, we asked if those claims were true.
"I am not going to comment right now. All I'm going to say is God bless," said Allen.
Allen often appears at military and civic events in Marin County, wearing Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for valor among other medals.
But the U.S Marine Corps confirmed to KTVU, they have no record of Allen serving in the Marines, or earning any medals.
I-TEAM: FBI investigates fake Marine from Marin County
Saturday, May 02, 2015 10:22AM
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) --
A fixture in Bay Area veterans groups has been keeping a secret for more than a decade, and now that it's been uncovered by the ABC7 News I-Team, the man is under investigation by at least two federal agencies.
The story continues, a phony VA healthcare card with the Marine insignia. The VA's Office of Inspector General is investigating if he fraudulently obtained benefits.
The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into whether Allen raised money based on his phony persona. One man tells Noyes he gave Allen $5,000 at a House of Steel Fundraiser because he thought Allen really was a Marine lieutenant.
Then, there's Allen's felony record. He received a sentence of three years in state prison after violating a restraining order when he climbed in his wife's bedroom window, threatened to cut her throat and shoot her. At the time, he blamed his drug addiction.
So many people can't believe this is the man they trusted with their sons and daughters, and with their money, in some cases.
This stolen valor stuff is disgusting. I'm amazed at the audacity so many seem to have to be able to do something like this!
I think it's disgusting as well and I feel sad for people who do this. I think there is something wrong with them psychologically to claim to be someone who they aren't and to have done things that they never have done. There are issues deep inside of them, they're not happy with who they are and what they've done/haven't done in their life so they pretend to be someone else.
Now if you're doing something for acting purposes or make believe otherwise, I get it but when you're doing it for attention and money, something is seriously wrong with you.
Location: IN>Germany>ND>OH>TX>CA>Currently NoVa and a Vacation Lake House in PA
3,259 posts, read 4,334,327 times
Reputation: 13476
I'm really glad they have started going after these people. If nothing else, the wars in the Gulf have brought the problem to the attention of the authorities and the press.
Looking at the 3 pictures, in the 2nd picture, he is wearing an Expert rifle qual badge, but in the 3rd picture, he is wearing a marksman rifle qual badge. At least for the pistol qual badge, he is wearing a sharpshooter badge in both. What a tool. Hopefully some true vets get a hold of this guy down some dark alley.
Oh, and don't get me started on the stack he is wearing in the 1st picture. No Lt is going to have that many ribbons/medals in only a few years in service.
Good article and video. Thanks for posting. Looks like this individual may get prosecuted.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
