A Minnesota resident has been found guilty of fabricating a military service record to deceive the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), resulting in fraudulent benefits totaling $146,287. Mikhail R. Wicker constructed an elaborate false narrative, claiming he served in Iraq and was awarded a Purple Heart as a Marine.
Prosecutors revealed that Wicker’s supposed military history was entirely fictitious. He falsely claimed to have graduated from sniper school, served in Iraq with Lima Company in 2005, been captured as a prisoner of war, and received a Purple Heart for combat wounds. However, investigations showed that in 2005, Wicker was living as a civilian in Michigan.
Dr. Brent M. Eastwood, a retired Army infantry officer, commented on the case for the National Security Journal, stating, “His conviction for wire and mail fraud highlights how stolen valor exploits an already overburdened disability system. These false hijinks usually make veterans angry but do not involve any serious crime. But this case is among the most egregious I have ever seen.”
Wicker faced trial for a week before being convicted by a jury on November 21. His sentencing by a federal judge is pending.
No Military Paychecks
Wicker, 39, fabricated his military service with the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, claiming he was taken prisoner by insurgents. His falsified honors, like the Purple Heart, likely appeared convincing to VA representatives. Yet, a more thorough investigation into his Social Security records would have revealed his employment in Michigan’s retail sector in 2005.
“There is no indication he was ever paid a single paycheck from any branch of the military,” prosecutors stated before the trial.
Wicker’s claims of attending sniper school after his supposed release from captivity were false; he had actually been involved in a car accident in 2005, for which he pleaded guilty to failing to report.
How Did He Do It?
Wicker meticulously planned his fraudulent activities, creating fake documents and applying for VA benefits in 2006. His deception extended to enrolling for the GI Bill benefits meant for post-9/11 veterans. According to Minnesota Public Radio, Wicker joined a Marine Facebook group to lend credibility to his false claims.
“He sent messages to Lima Company veterans claiming to remember certain people and asking for details that he ‘forgot.’ In 2020, Wicker tricked one of the group members into vouching for him in a letter to the VA, even though the veteran had no recollection of serving with Wicker,” MPR reported.
Wicker’s downfall began when he requested an increase in his disability rating, prompting the VA to discover his non-existent military records.
Defrauding the System
Wicker’s fraudulent actions undermine legitimate veterans who face lengthy processes to secure disability benefits or increase their ratings. Veterans must prove service-related injuries to obtain benefits, often enduring extensive examinations and appeals. A successful claim results in a monthly tax-free stipend based on a rating from 10 to 100 percent, vital for those unable to work due to disabilities.
The accumulation of payments, retroactive to the application date, enabled Wicker to amass over $146,000 through deceit.
“Wicker’s use of Facebook to pad his story is especially troubling, as he claimed to be a part of a group of Marines who unwittingly gave him details for his fake service,” Eastman wrote. “Hopefully, Wicker faces the consequences for his transgressions and learns that it is wrong to lie about military service and defraud the government.”
