How can I recover my business' reputation after someone was outed for stolen valor who has the same name?

SPC Paul Tillson — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 15:52:45 -0500

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 8 at 2016 3:56 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 15:56:04 -0500

You are short on details.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 8 at 2016 4:00 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:00:10 -0500

Without knowing the full details:

1) Start adding middle initial to everything
2) Use a dba for the company name to segregate yourself from them as much as possible (Taking a stab that your Business name is same as last name)

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 8 at 2016 4:57 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:57:41 -0500

You are obviously not the bass ackwards 11B Paul Tillson that many of us would like to throat punch. I would reach out to as many online sites that you can that are posting information about this ass hat. Get them to post your information as well and to clarify that you are not him referencing your picture, business name and state. Maybe even get them to demonstrate that stolen valor is not always a victimless crime. Much like the site I've linked - I think most sites will do their best to restore your good name. As much of the information out on the web will forever be out in the wild I think this will be your best effort to minimizing the damage. It would be nice if you could sue for damages - not sure you might want to ask a lawyer.

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=34832

Two Tillsons & stolen valor; the victimless crime

We got an email from Paul Tillson today, he's not this Paul Tillson the valor thief we took down a while back; This Paul Tillson we heard from today is a

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Feb 8 at 2016 5:37 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 17:37:45 -0500

Another example of why this is a crime. I think you should see if there is a lawyer in your area that would be able to civil action...but the big problem is being able to prove damages and collect anything if you were able to win your case?

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 8 at 2016 9:39 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 21:39:12 -0500

It's not just an issue with Stolen Valor. There are lots of people who end up simply sharing names with people who have criminal records or bad credit history.

Response by PO1 Bill Adams made Feb 9 at 2016 10:10 AM

PO1 Bill Adams — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:10:37 -0500

My first thought would be to post a picture of him, and you in your store window, with a politely worded explanation of the situation. Maybe even an ad in the paper.

Another would be a call to the local TV station. Try to talk them into doing a story on the situation.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Feb 9 at 2016 12:17 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:17:19 -0500

You have received some great suggestions here I see that all bases were covered good luck with this.

Response by CPT Zarin N. made Feb 9 at 2016 1:53 PM

CPT Zarin N. — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:53:23 -0500

You should look into a company that specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Most people don't scroll past the first few results when they search for things online. Many companies and individuals take advantage of this to push the results they want people to see to the top. So instead of the first 3 results on Google being about NJ Paul Tillson (NJPT), it would push your personal and business websites up to the top 3 results, hopefully burying the NJPT results further down the page rankings.

Be advised, this is not going to be the cure-all, just another portion of the image rehabilitation. If you rolled this up with Capt Seid Waddell's advice, I think your issues would get resolved sooner, rather than later.
Good Luck Paul!

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Feb 9 at 2016 3:18 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:18:38 -0500

Here is your boy.
Newark New Jersey – Back in 2011, our friends over at Thisainthell busted Paul Tillson for Stolen Valor. He took photos at his wedding in his dress uniform wearing awards that he had never earned.

He was wearing a CIB with a Star which would mean he served in at least two conflicts as an 11B(Infantryman), but he put the badge on the wrong side of his uniform. He is also wearing a Purple Heart, and many other awards that he didn’t earn, I am surprised his uniform top hasn’t ripped from holding all the bling.

I am sure you will find a ton more wrong with his uniform, maybe even the Korean Service Medal, and all those marksmanship badges.

He did go to Kuwait during the Gulf War, but he never saw combat. In fact someone who served with him, said he faked an injury to come home early. He was serving as the unit clerk, in Kuwait.. I am guessing he got one massive paper cut! I guess this is where he thinks he earned one of his CIB’s as well, I mean those papers can really put up a fight.

Well it seems Tillson didn’t stop at placing these awards on his uniform, he also lied to the Department of Veterans Affairs about injuries he received in combat and they awarded him disability benefits based on these claims.

I am thinking that once Jonn over at thisainthell busted him for the lies, the VA became aware and launched an investigation. We have always said that Stolen Valor is usually just the tip of the iceberg, and Tillson is a perfect example.

Phil reached out to us today because he remembered the bust, and sent us the link with the DOJ release on this douchebag. Paul pled guilty to defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $150,000 in disability benefits over a 13-year period.

From July 1991 through January 1992, Tillson served as an administrative clerk in the U.S. Army in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. From November 2000 through July 2013, Tillson received $150,164 in disability benefits based on his claims of combat related injuries. Through an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs, it was determined that Tillson did not serve in a combat function or engage in combat during his tour of duty overseas, which commenced after cease-fire terms had been accepted by Iraq. Tillson also acknowledged that he falsified information related to his alleged combat stressors.

The charge of embezzlement of funds from the United States carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2015.

Response by SPC Paul Tillson made Feb 9 at 2016 3:20 PM

SPC Paul Tillson — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:20:48 -0500

I want to thank RallyPoint Team and the respondents for assisting me brainstorm for solutions to my dilemmas.

Response by SFC Peter Cyprian made Feb 9 at 2016 3:49 PM

SFC Peter Cyprian — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:49:11 -0500

Put it all out there! Get as much info about the stolen valor ass-clown and post it on your website along with a brief explanation that YOU are not HIM. Take it head on and make sure you disclose everything you know. Provide as much information about this idiot as you can, links to articles, links to documents, and any other information about this idiot that you can find. Make sure you are very clear about 2 things- 1, you are not him! 2, your absolute disgust at what this person did

I would also recommend that you post links to Stolen Valor websites and possibly even a link or two to organizations that investigate Stolen Valor cases.

Response by SGT Marvin Harrington made Feb 9 at 2016 5:54 PM

SGT Marvin Harrington — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:54:03 -0500

Paul one way is to put it out on social media or even put it in your window if you have a store front. That is really messed up, in due time, people will forget and move on. Hope you recover quick

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 9 at 2016 7:56 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 19:56:35 -0500

SPC Tillson, I had the same problem, but mine was ID Crime, that was raping kids and pleaded out, went a light term. It was to be 25 yrs. I contacted FL State Of Corrections to Remove My Picture from the Internet, I contacted the Depart of VA, they could not help, said that he was a Registered Sex Offender he gets OUT of FL Prison, so DOD Suit FL State of Corrections, to remove my Picture from his Internet Profile.

Use DOD, with Atty, that can get your RECORD Cleared, or you will lose your TS.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:33 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:33:25 -0500

I feel your pain....There's a guy with a similar as me in my local area....when you google my name you would think I committed a heinous crime....was asked about this on a job interview and thought the guy was kidding me (I don't pay attention to the news enough) turned out that they thought I was the guy. It was an interesting interview to say the least. When I pointed out the obvious flaw in their background check system (I passed... had I done this crime I most certainty would not have) they were none to happy. While I thought it was funny they didn't have the same sense of humor....glad I didn't work there. Just goes to show you don't believe everything you read on the internet....hope everything works out for you.

PS: I always bring this up at interviews now so that their is a clear distinction between me and the guy who committed the crime...confront this head on and you wont have any problems.

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Feb 10 at 2016 12:55 AM

SSG Timothy McCoy — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:55:55 -0500

SPC Paul Tillson,
I don't know or have any experience with this situation.
I have started a few different business while on AD. And in all cases, the story of the Rabbit and the Hare. Slow and steady will find its way to the greater reward. Don't let that other JackA$$ win. Stay your course and provide your service or item and provide Customer Service should be your number one goal. A customers' mouths' will travel far and wide about YOUR service Good or Bad.
Just keep plugging away and remember the WHY you got into doing what you are doing. You are going to have ups and downs from supply problems to weather to _ _ _ _ (fill in the blank), and as long as the customer believe that you have their back and that you are coming back Stolen Vallaor shouldn't be a problem.
HtH
Tim

Response by LT Michael Conquest made Feb 10 at 2016 8:01 PM

LT Michael Conquest — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 20:01:52 -0500

Hi Paul, first as a former veteran myself let me thank you for your service. I specialize in helping small businesses with their online local marketing and reputation. And so your problem really struck a cord with me.

The best way to combat this problem is to market your positive reputation online and invest in local search marketing. That will help you be able to bury the articles that have been written up about this bozo back in NJ with your same name.

If there's anything I can do to help you with this endeavor, get in touch...

I have a lot of strategies and tactics we could implement to help you take care of this problem.

I can be reached through my website: http://www.ConquestWebConsulting.com or email: [login to see]

Best Regards,
Michael Conquest

Conquest Web Consulting – Performance Web Marketing With Integrity!

On the information superhighway you want all the road signs to point to your location. Conquest Web Consulting knows the highways and the byways to direct and redirect traffic to your business.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 6:29 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 18:29:30 -0500

Stolen Valor is obnoxious and fraudulent, no argument there. The issue I have is how we deal with it. How many YouTube videos have you seen where some dumbass is rocking a uniform totally out of regs, with a story so flimsy it does't hold up to the tiniest amount of scrutiny and then the service member has some sort of toddler meltdown which ultimately makes them look like some volatile powderkeg about to explode in a fireball of vulgarity and unprofessionalism? You want to out somebody, fine, but be careful, unless you are absolutely certain, you may find yourself getting rucked over like Ghengis Khan through Asia. Also, you can expose a fake without making some sort of huge deal about it. They'll feel just as stupid and your reaction won't make the rest of us look like irate lunatics. You'll save face and keep your professional demeanor intact. In my opinion that's a more rational way of going about it.
And lastly, SPC Tillson, If you're still getting harassed, go to JAG or IG with your CAC card or your DD214, let the offending party's unit know as well. Watch how fast that situation gets corrected. I swear........we can be such crybabies in how we handle this.

Response by CDR Vic Monzon made Oct 11 at 2016 9:37 PM

CDR Vic Monzon — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 21:37:00 -0400

I would face it DIRECTLY. If you have a website, I would contritely point out the identity issue, and provide enough details of YOUR actual service to make in unambiguous who you are and your true service. Reasonable people will WANT to give you their business.

Response by PO1 Wood Michael made Feb 11 at 2020 12:31 AM

PO1 Wood Michael — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 00:31:55 -0500

I had this happen when I got out the first time. Same names including middle initial. I know how you feel as I got drug into court for money h owed

Response by PO3 Jay Rose made Jul 30 at 2020 12:47 PM

PO3 Jay Rose — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:47:34 -0400

SPC Paul Tillson - Is this issue still ongoing? If ‘worked out,’ how well did it all play out? I’m asking as I did post-grad work in Business and more specifically Digital Marketing (my undergrad in Computer Science from Oxford with Distinction could probably help you too as it’s an online business, right?! :) and I have many ideas that **could** help you... potentially a lot actually! It simply sickens the hell out of me to see another proud vet in distress over a such a bullshit thing, and this my friend is the epitome of bullshit! Please feel free to connect with me, so we may discuss. I’m more than happy to give you a couple hours on the phone at **no charge** that alone would most likely turn this thing around for you. I really would literally be helping you on the principle of it alone! Coming across this post **really** pissed me off as yes, people guilty of SV are usually one of two things, either (1) the scum of the earth, or (2) just mentally ill; and regarding the scum portion of the SV ‘fakers,’ they most definitely need to be “tuned-up!” I also have a few select ‘connections’ within the SV community, specifically a very well know pioneer in putting SV in the national spotlight (sorry, no names in a public forum without direct consent from him to do so, his rule). Please do give me a SITREP, and if I can help in **any way,** you better damn sure believe that I will, brother! I wish you only the best, in everything you do! ~ Jay

Response by SPC Paul Tillson made Jul 30 at 2020 3:19 PM

SPC Paul Tillson — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 15:19:09 -0400

This is no longer an issue as I have closed my business, Thank You all for your support.