A 49-year-old man faces up to 18 months in prison after admitting that he faked using a wheelchair for 20 years to claim over $660,000 in benefits.
Christopher Stultz pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court to one count of making false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He reportedly started the scam while he was working at Antrim Elementary School.
Stultz’s social media page shows him using a wheelchair while participating in school activities but one photo shows him ‘standing’ straight while wearing a costume.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that in early 2003, he claimed that he could not use his feet anymore. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs then decided to increase his monthly benefits as he was rated as 100 percent disabled.
He also received money to purchase special vehicles.
From January 2003 to December 2022, Stultz received a total of $667,871.77 in VA benefits.
The plea deal stated that Stultz faces up to 18 months in jail. He is also ordered to return the money he had received.
The scam was discovered when authorities ‘surveilled him on multiple occasions’ walking normally.
In 2021, he was seen using a wheelchair inside a VA medical center in Boston but when he left the facility, he stood up and placed the wheelchair into his car.
He also drove to a mall and was seen walking around multiple stores.
The plea agreement stated that the former school teacher “admitted that he could use both of his feet and that he knew it was wrong for him to collect extra benefits.
“He also admitted that he did not need the VA-funded vehicles with the special adaptations and that he had sold those vehicles.”
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