A US Marine veteran in New Hampshire admitted he faked using a wheelchair for 20 years. But why? Apparently, it was so he collect more than $660,000 in VA benefits. VA officials in New England witnessed Christopher Stultz walking normally following a recent visit to his Veteran’s Affairs office.

Stultz is currently working as a kindergarten teacher at Antrim Elementary School. The VA says he received $662,871.77 in benefits he wasn’t entitled to between January 2003 and December 2022.

Stultz pleaded guilty in federal court last week to making false statements to the VA in 2003. The USAO says Stultz did it to collect a 100% disability rating.

Stultz’s elaborate scheme started in January 2003. He allegedly told the VA that he could not use his feet after leaving the service. As a result, the VA granted him a 100% disability rating.

A 100% disability rating currently ranges from $3,800 to $4,200 monthly. However, compensation has fluctuated over the years.

Stultz also obtained funds through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment. The VA gives these funds to veterans to purchase special cars and vehicle adaptations for mobility-impaired veterans.

Federal Authorities Bust US Marine Veteran Christopher Stultz Walking Normally

Witnesses had also recorded and seen Stultz walking without needing a wheelchair. 

Witnesses saw Stultz using his wheelchair at the VA Medical Center in Boston in October 2021. However, moments later, Witnesses saw him lift it into his car and drive off from the facility moments later.

He then went to a shopping mall. Investigators witnessed him walking normally without his wheelchair.

The veteran repeated the same action in October 2022 at the VA facility in Manchester, New Hampshire. However, this time he was recorded walking normally throughout the mall without needing any assistance in Oct. 2022.

Several people who knew Stultz as far back as the early 2000s also ratted him out to investigators.

Law enforcement confronted Stultz about his mobility. Stultz admitted that he could use both feet and was aware he was wrongly collecting the extra benefits.

Federal authorities formally charged the teacher with one count of making false statements on September 13, 2023.

A federal judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Stultz for May 6, 2024. Stultz faces up to 5 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

He may also be ordered to pay back the entirety of the funds he fraudulently received over the years.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun cracking down on bogus claims over the years.

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