Submitted: June 9, 2015
Contact: Representative David Steffen
608-266-5840; [email protected]
Guest Column: Protecting Those Who Protected Us: Wisconsin Needs a Stolen Valor Law
For over two centuries, men and women of this great nation have protected our country through
their selfless service to the United States military. As beneficiaries of the freedom they provided,
we hold the responsibility of celebrating, respecting, and above all, protecting their sacrifice and
service to our country.
Unfortunately and incredibly, there are individuals in our state and across this country who
disgrace our heroes and the armed forces through the deliberate act of impersonating servicemen
and women for personal gain. This unthinkable act is called “stolen valor.”
Perpetrators of stolen valor create a false persona of sacrifice and heroism for a number of
reasons. Some claim the prestige and honor of military service in order to escape personal or
professional failures. Others take the act a step further; perpetrators capitalize on the goodwill of
businesses, non-profits and individuals by soliciting money, benefits and discounts under false
pretenses. These criminals use this stolen valor to tap into benefits designated for our rightly
deserving veterans. This is a crime that cannot be left unchecked.
Currently, a federal law exists, Stolen Valor Act 2013, which creates a federal level penalty for
those who falsely claim military service or honors in order to receive benefits. However,
requiring and engaging a federal prosecutor and federal court to handle these cases often means
these offenses go unprosecuted. Giving Wisconsin the authority over cases of stolen valor will
create an additional avenue to penalize these offenders. Fifteen other states have already enacted
some form of stolen valor law, and Wisconsin should be next. The Wisconsin Stolen Valor Bill I
authored with the help of a constituent, passed both houses of the state legislature and is now on
its way to the governor. Once enacted, we will finally and appropriately empower our state to
prosecute and penalize perpetrators of stolen valor.
The number of offenses of this kind continues to grow in Wisconsin. With just a few clicks on
the computer, military uniforms, medals and ribbons can be bought and sold online. This ease of
access makes it increasingly convenient to create phony military credentials. As the threshold to
commit stolen valor decreases, it is vital that Wisconsin is equipped to handle these cases. Not
only will a Wisconsin Stolen Valor Law allow for our state to prosecute these perpetrators, but it
will also serve as a deterrent to anyone considering this fraudulent path.
Those duped by perpetrators of stolen valor can suffer real financial losses. These criminals drain
bank accounts and rob businesses and organizations of resources intended for veterans. But the
ultimate cost is at the expense of the men and women who selflessly have served or are serving
our country.
It is impossible to fully repay our service members for their sacrifices; the price goes well
beyond the value of a dollar. However, in recognizing our country’s debt to our veterans, it is
impossible to overlook the need to protect their valor.
###
AB 114/SB 95 is authored by State Representative David Steffen in the State Assembly, and coauthored by State Senator Roger Roth in the State Senate. Governor Walker is expected to sign
the bill into law in the coming weeks. A copy of the bill is available for review at
legis.wisconsin.gov or by contacting State Representative Steffen’s office at (608) 266-5840.