President Barack Obama today signed into law the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, making it a federal crime for anyone to make false claims about military medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits. The law passed through Congress last month with rare bipartisan support. The Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent, two days after the House passed the legislation 390-3. Violators face fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to a year in prison. The law is a more narrowly focused version of a Stolen Valor Act that was signed into law in 2006 by former President George W. Bush. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down that law in 2012, saying it violated the First Amendment. The new action by Congress followed by less than a week the resignation of the national president of the Korean War Veterans Association. James E. Ferris, 81, of Clay, admitted that he consistently wore five military service ribbons or medals that he never earned.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:10:14 +0000
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