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Veteran pleads not guilty

Stolen Valor Act has first Nevada prosecution

In the first known prosecution in Nevada under the Stolen Valor Act, a former Veterans Affairs employee pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to charges of theft of government property and unauthorized wearing of a military medal, the Purple Heart.

With a walking cane in hand and wearing a Navy blue sports coat, David M. Perelman, 56, of Las Vegas, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt, saying, "Yes, your honor," and "Yes, I do," when Leavitt asked if he had read the grand jury indictment and understood the charges.


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  • According to the Oct. 28 indictment, Perelman claimed he had been wounded in combat in Vietnam while serving in the Air Force. In fact, he had been wounded by a self-inflicted gunshot in 1991, the indictment states.

    He is also accused of stealing about $180,000 in monthly disability benefits from the Veterans Administration, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs, from July 1995 until July 2009.

    Leavitt released Perelman on his own recognizance pending trial after Perelman's court-appointed attorney, assistant federal public defender Rene Valladares, argued that he posed no risk of danger and no risk of not appearing for trial.

    Perelman, who last year served as Nevada commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, had been working as a clerk at a local VA office for the past three years. He has since resigned following the indictment, a VA spokesman said Friday.

    During his arraignment, Valladares said Perelman is currently receiving treatment for mental health problems through the VA, Valladares said.

    As he left the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse, Perelman declined through Valladares to be interviewed.

    "We just intend to prove Mr. Perelman is not guilty," Valladares said.

    The theft charge Perelman faces is a felony and the unauthorized wearing of the Purple Heart medal is a misdemeanor. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to U.S. military personnel who have been wounded or killed in combat.

    The indictment states that Perleman "had not served in combat in Vietnam." He is accused of wearing the Purple Heart without authorization in August 2008.

    A VA official has said Perelman sought employment with the department, saying he was a disabled veteran. He was cleared for hiring following a background check.

    Perelman is the second former local official of the Military Order of the Purple Heart to have questions surface about lying about military service.

    Last year, Irving Joseph Schwartz, who had been a national service officer and past commander of the organization's Chapter 711 in Las Vegas, admitted to former Rep. Jon Porter's staff that he had fabricated his role in World War II.

    Porter had intended to name a post office after Schwartz until the Review-Journal raised questions about his military records. Schwartz died in July.

    Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.

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    Alvin J Moore wrote on December 04, 2009 03:04 PM: I have been doing battle with one Thomas Evans Robinson of Rabun County Georgia for about three years. During this time he has made repeated claims that he was a Vietnam Veteran and left a recording on my telephone answering machine stating he was there and may not have served as long as I did but he was there. According to his military record on file in St Louis he served nine months and twenty days in a basic training unit at Ft. Jackson , S.C from 10/10/74 until 8/01/75. That all occured over a year after the troops were withdrawn from Vietnam.He filed a claim for post traumatic stresss and was awarded 100% disability by the VA.
    He was convicted of drug trafficing and served five months in prison 19 1984. He was convicted on five counts of drug trafficing in 2008 and was given twenty years probation so he will not lose his $30,000 pension. He is charged with Arson and insurance fraud at the present and awaiting trial while attending a one year drug treatment program. Anyone who has direct evidence that can be used against this person to take away this pension please contact me or the VA investigator General. This guy went so far as to claim he served on an Aircraft Carrier of the coast of Vietnam. Please contact me my space is about used up. He lived in Laurens County Ga for several years while on probation from the 1984 conviction. He continued to go there at the end of every month allegedly to pick up his VA check. He bragged to family members that he had someone push him through the VA hospital in a wheelchair while wearing a diaper. All of his relatives are afraid of him because of his reputation.


    Matt wrote on December 04, 2009 10:53 AM: As a wounded vet of Iraq whose been screwed by not getting disability, I find it even worse and more appalling that these people impersonate actual heros for their own gain.

    What type of scum can look themselves in the mirror and accept that they are mocking the sacrifices so many have made? These are traitors who should be punished accordingly.

    Or if you want to act like a hero then enlist them and let them know what its like to get shot at. That'll change the thought process.


    Lenny Johnston wrote on December 04, 2009 10:38 AM: as an 18 yr veteran and having the honor to defend this great nation...I find it appalling that these "so called men" do these sort of things....those that are of age to serve and get caught doing this should be thrown into the miltary for 2 yrs and serve on the front lines if they want to be a hero then go see what its like to be one...


    Semper Fi wrote on November 16, 2009 10:30 AM: First, my best to all service men and women who protect and defend!

    RJC watchdog.....I am sure there are plenty of non Semites in similar circumstances. Choosing to name solely those with apparent Jewish names should be as problematic as what the defendant allegedly did. What a smear monger you are!

    IF this defendant did what he is accused of. Shame on him. he shames the service of my father and hundreds of thousands of others. IT does, however, reveal the importance of serving in the military and achieving great things while one does so. It is important enough that people lie about it. So, when is the indictment of John Kerry coming? (notice, he is not a Semite).


    Riley wrote on November 14, 2009 02:41 PM: Dear Franny Forsman:

    Please review the following statement by your deputy Rene Valladares:

    "We just intend to prove Mr. Perelman is not guilty," Valladares said.

    See the problem? I hope so. Mr. Valladares has been a criminal defense attorney for how long? He should know the burden of proof rests with the government. HE does not have to prove ANYTHING?


    RJC Watchdog wrote on November 14, 2009 02:37 PM: Paul - - The names were Schwartz and Perelman. Oy Vey. Speaking of Oy Vey names, what were the names of those lawyers and law firms who stole money from their clients?:

    Jeanne Winkler

    Mitch Posin

    Murray Posin

    Phil Singer

    Oy Vye AGAIN!

    And what was the name of the lawyer that, according to court records, Judge Glass ordered to attend an ethics class after holding him in contempt of court?

    Dayvid Figler.

    Oy Oy OY Vey.

    And the name of the Clark County Public Defender who admitted to DAYDREAMING during a murder trial?

    Phil Kohn.

    It's a Shanda, I tell ya.


    Paul wrote on November 14, 2009 08:53 AM: What were those names, again: Irving Joseph Schwartz and David M. Perelman?