Louisiana adopts ‘stolen valor’ law with up to 5 years prison for faking military service

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a “stolen valor” bill that makes it a crime to lie about having served in the military or to embellish one’s own military service. 

Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen, earned final passage Monday in the state House of Representatives and will head to Gov. Jeff Landry for his signature. Kleinpeter, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, got unanimous support for the measure from both chambers.

His bill would make stolen valor a state crime. It encompasses false claims of military service made by civilians, veterans or current armed services members who take credit for any actions, deeds, achievements, medals, rank or insignia they did not receive. Penalties range from small fines to several years in prison, depending on the severity of the crime. 

For a lesser offense, such as a civilian claiming to have served in the military, the fine could reach up to $1,000. 

A mid-tier offense includes falsely claiming or wearing any of the following unearned military citations, which are among the nation’s highest honors: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart or any combat action citations. The penalty for a violation could carry up to a $5,000 fine and one-year prison sentence.

The most severe penalties would be reserved for cases involving military or veteran benefits. A fraudster who fakes a service record to get certain benefits reserved for veterans or active duty troops could be sentenced up to five years in prison and fined $10,000, and they could be ordered to pay full restitution for the benefit received. 

Stolen valor is recognized as a crime in at least 15 states and is also a federal offense.