Who is Paul Whelan, the Marine veteran left behind in Russia in the Griner-Bout prisoner swap?

I would rather have our Marine back

A Marine with a BCD or an America hating celebrity. Quite the pair, but Americans both. The story is not so much them, as yet another lopsided Bergdal style swap. AND, NBC's rapidly withdrawn reporting that the administration had a choice but devolved into identity politics -again - is another admin/media scandal.

After reading about Whelan's antics in Iraq it isn't surprising Russia thought he might not be what he seems. Writing fraudulent checks, alone, can result in a prison sentence for civilians. Don't know if that would be 16 years though. His brother was very gracious about the disappointment.