Posted on Sep 9, 2015
"National Guardsman charged with taking $10G for funerals he never attended"
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From: Fox News
An Ohio National Guardsman who served as an area honor guard at funerals was indicted last week after investigators determined he racked up more than $10,000 in mileage expenses for 130 funerals he did not attend.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Daniel Edwards, 38, is charged with theft in office and tampering with records, according to the Dayton Daily News. Each of the felonies could land him in prison for up to three years, or saddle Edwards with a $10,000 fine if convicted. Edwards’ mileage claims totaled $10,852.
During a 10-month period, Edwards is alleged to have claimed mileage for 89 funerals he’s not listed as having attended. Investigators charge he claimed mileage to a funeral farther away than the one he actually attended 17 other times, and he claimed reimbursement to an area where no funeral occurred 24 times.
Edwards, who had been on full-time active duty with the Guard for more than 17 years before moving to a part-time role, tried to explain the discrepancies to investigators with the Ohio Inspector General. He allegedly told them that in most cases he wasn’t listed on official records because he attended the funerals covertly in order to observe the honor guard. Edwards said he had gotten complaints about some of the soldiers performing the duties.
He’s set for arraignment in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 16, according to WHIO.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/09/investigators-national-guardsman-reimbursed-10k-for-130-funerals-wasnt-at/?cmpid=app_pulse&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
An Ohio National Guardsman who served as an area honor guard at funerals was indicted last week after investigators determined he racked up more than $10,000 in mileage expenses for 130 funerals he did not attend.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason Daniel Edwards, 38, is charged with theft in office and tampering with records, according to the Dayton Daily News. Each of the felonies could land him in prison for up to three years, or saddle Edwards with a $10,000 fine if convicted. Edwards’ mileage claims totaled $10,852.
During a 10-month period, Edwards is alleged to have claimed mileage for 89 funerals he’s not listed as having attended. Investigators charge he claimed mileage to a funeral farther away than the one he actually attended 17 other times, and he claimed reimbursement to an area where no funeral occurred 24 times.
Edwards, who had been on full-time active duty with the Guard for more than 17 years before moving to a part-time role, tried to explain the discrepancies to investigators with the Ohio Inspector General. He allegedly told them that in most cases he wasn’t listed on official records because he attended the funerals covertly in order to observe the honor guard. Edwards said he had gotten complaints about some of the soldiers performing the duties.
He’s set for arraignment in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 16, according to WHIO.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/09/investigators-national-guardsman-reimbursed-10k-for-130-funerals-wasnt-at/?cmpid=app_pulse&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Army National Guard
Crime
Funeral
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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If he was attending some of the funerals to observe the team at work, that could possibly explain some of the discrepencies. I'd love to know how he explains the ones he claimed where no funeral occurred. Overall this looks very bad for the soldier, and if he really was ripping off the funeral honors program, he deserves anything the court decides to throw at him.
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I have no sympathy for him. My American Legion Post does military honors for any veteran whose family requests us and for any of our deceased members. We travel up to an hours drive away and we don't get paid for it. As Commander I am always glad to see the Military show up. If the deceased is a Member of our Post either myself or the Chaplin present the flag to the family. If no military are at any other Veterans Funeral I present the flag. Those are the hardest words I have ever spoken....
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PO2 Robert Blohm
I agree, the first time I presented I almost couldn't say the words. I worked MFH for a couple years.
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That is disgraceful. Dishonoring those who died fighting for this nation is despicable.
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