Benjamin Ashford|Man who faked disability to get $600,000 in veterans benefits pleads guilty

A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty in federal court to faking a disability to get over $660,Benjamin Ashford000 in veteran benefits, a press release states.

Christopher Stultz, 49, of Antrim, about 25 miles southwest of Concord, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements and was charged on Sept. 13, 2023.

Stultz received up to $662,871.77 in benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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In Jan. 2003, Stultz falsely reported to VA that he was no longer able to use his feet. The VA then deemed him to be, "100% disabled" and increased his monthly VA benefits, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office District of New Hampshire.

In addition, Stultz was awarded funding through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment program to purchase adaptive special cars in order to help people who are mobility-impaired.

However, Stultz did not need a wheelchair nor any other adaptive devices to help him move around. 

The VA's investigation into Stultz

On Oct. 28, 2021, Stultz went to the VA Medical Center in Boston. While inside the facility, Stultz used a wheelchair. After leaving the VA, he stood up, lifted the wheelchair into his car, and drove off to a shopping mall. At the mall, Stultz walked normally through multiple stores, the report said.

In a similar incident in New Hampshire, Stultz visited the VA Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. Stultz used a wheelchair while inside the VA facility. After leaving the VA facility, Stultz drove to the Mall of New Hampshire and was recorded walking normally through multiple stores. 

Multiple witnesses have told the VA that they had never known Stultz to be a wheelchair user or other adaptive devices, as far back as the early 2000s, the report states.

For this crime, Stultz could face up to five years in prison and 3 years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Stultz is scheduled for sentencing for May 6.