http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/vetid052606.shtml

The Hutchinson News

Hutchinson, KS

Friday, May 26, 2006 - 05:16 PM

Man gets jail time after using veteran's identity for benefits

Federal Judge Kathryn Vratil sent a Hutchinson man to prison for nearly two years Thursday for impersonating a U.S. veteran in an attempt to qualify for health benefits.

Karl E. Valentine, 62, pleaded guilty in January to using the name and Social Security number of deceased Navy veteran Michael Rickert in at least three Kansas counties.

"Mr. Valentine used the personal identification documents of the deceased husband of the woman with whom he was living to obtain treatment at the Veterans Hospital in Wichita," U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren said.

Melgren commended the criminal investigation unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker for their work on the case.