Internet dubs Christopher Stultz a 'disgrace' after veteran admits faking wheelchair use for benefits
ANTRIM, NEW HAMPSHIRE: A US military veteran from New Hampshire admitted in federal court on Thursday, January 25, that he faked being wheelchair-bound for the past two decades to improperly collect over $660,000 in disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Christopher Stultz, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of making fraudulent statements to the federal government to receive enhanced VA disability compensation that he was not entitled to, as per New York Post.
Christopher Stultz faked wheelchair dependency since 2003
According to court documents, Stultz first reported to the VA Manchester Medical Center in January 2003 claiming he had lost all functionality in both feet following active duty service and was wheelchair-bound.
Based on these claims, Stultz was rated as 100% disabled by the VA, qualifying him for the maximum allowable disability compensation. The current monthly payment at the 100% rate is approximately $3,900 per month, meant to supplement veterans who cannot work due to service-connected disabilities.
In addition to the monthly stipend, Stultz also received several adaptive vehicle grants from the VA to modify vehicles to accommodate his alleged paralysis. In total, he fraudulently collected $662,871 in cash payments and benefits over the 19-year scheme.
Meanwhile, federal investigators uncovered evidence that Stultz had been walking without assistance and leading a normal life since the early 2000s. Interviews with long-time acquaintances revealed Stultz never exhibited debilitating mobility issues in private settings.
Christopher Stultz was caught on tape walking without wheelchair
Surveillance conducted by VA Office of Inspector General special agents in October 2021 and October 2022 showed Stultz arriving at two different VA facilities in his wheelchair before loading it into his vehicle and driving to nearby shopping malls, where he walked unencumbered without support for extended periods of time.
Confronted with the video evidence, Strultz admitted to investigators that he was capable of walking without assistance and did not require a wheelchair, according to the US Attorney's Office.
Strultz will be sentenced on May 6, 2024. He faces up to 5 years in prison on the false statements charge, as well as potential restitution payments covering the entire $662,871 illegally obtained from 2003 to 2022.
Internet condemns Christopher Stultz's deception
As news of Stultz's deception broke, the online community swiftly condemned his actions with a range of reactions.
One Facebook user cautioned, "Rest assured there are a lot more out there."
Meanwhile, another user weighed in on the severity of Stultz's actions, declaring, "He should go to jail; there's legit disabled veterans that can't get anything."
A third commenter underscored the prevalence of such fraudulent activities, remarking, "He’s not an anomaly."
Another individual condemned Stultz's behavior, simply stating, "Disgraceful."
Further condemnation emerged from a fifth user who highlighted the impact on those genuinely in need, commenting, "What a disgrace. Slap in the face to others who really needed that wheelchair."
Summing up the collective sentiment, a sixth user expressed disbelief, noting, "People are sad. Unreal."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
