COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A new South Carolina law makes it a crime for someone to falsely claim military service for personal profit.
The law signed by Gov. Nikki Haley makes the lie a misdemeanor, with the punishment depending on the lie. In a conviction, anyone pretending to be decorated war veteran could be sentenced to up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston praised lawmakers Tuesday for passing a bill defending true sacrifice.
“It really disturbed me to no end that we have kids dying and sacrificing and some yahoo on the street says, ’I have an award,’” said Livingston, a Medal of Honor recipient for actions in Vietnam in 1968. “People are really respectful and considerate of people who have served and sacrificed,” he said, and it’s wrong to make a bogus appeal for that.
Livingston was among those seeking the law.
“Look at all those kids coming home shot up and beat up and folks are running around saying they served?” he said.
The law is a state version of the federal Stolen Valor Act passed by Congress last year, which revived a broader law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2012, the high court ruled it may be disreputable to lie about receiving a medal, but it’s protected speech.
“It’s abhorrent, but it’s a First Amendment right,” said Rep. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet.
His bill specifies that the lie becomes a crime when someone uses it to get a military benefit, seek a job or promotion, affect a court case, or secure votes for public office. The lie can be either verbal or written, including in a resume.
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