Marine sergeant pleads guilty in Quantico, Va., to charges stemming from hero hoax probe
By APWednesday, October 21, 2009
Marine pleads guilty in Va. hero hoax case
QUANTICO, Va. — A Marine Corps sergeant has pleaded guilty to faking war injuries to get freebies meant for wounded warriors.
Sgt. David Budwah (BOOD’-wah) pleaded guilty to eight charges including making false statements, malingering, misconduct and larceny at a court-martial hearing in Quantico, Va., on Wednesday.
Prosecutors say Budwah was never deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, as he claimed. They say he lied about being wounded and having post-traumatic stress disorder and wore medals he didn’t earn.
Budwah admitted to bluffing his way into 14 events last year, including banquets, rock concerts and a Washington Redskins football game.
The 34-year-old Marine from Springhill, La., faces up to 8½ years in prison, a reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge when he is sentenced later Wednesday.
