An Antrim, New Hampshire veteran pleaded guilty in federal court to faking his need for a wheelchair for 20 years in order to get $662,871.77 in benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said in a statement that Christopher Stultz, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements on Jan. 25.
Beginning in January 2003, Stultz falsely represented to the VA that he was no longer able to use his feet, according to the statement. This caused the VA to rate him as 100% disabled, which increased his monthly VA benefits.
Because the VA believed Stultz was unable to use his feet, he was also awarded funding through the VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment program to purchase special cars and vehicle adaptations designed to help mobility-impaired veterans.
According to the statement, “Stultz did not need a wheelchair or other ambulatory device to move around.” He was surveilled on multiple occasions and recorded walking normally.
“For example, on Oct. 28, 2021, Stultz went to the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain in Boston,” the statement reads. “He used a wheelchair while inside the VA facility. After leaving the VA, he stood up, lifted the wheelchair into his car, and drove off to a shopping mall.”
While at the mall, Stultz walked normally through multiple stores, the statement notes.
On Oct. 3, 2022, Stultz went to the VA Medical Center in Manchester, according to the statement. He used a wheelchair while inside the VA facility. After leaving, Stultz drove to the Mall of New Hampshire and was recorded walking normally through multiple stores.
“In addition, multiple witnesses reported that they had never known Stultz to use a wheelchair or other ambulatory devices as far back as the early 2000s,” the statement reads.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2024. Stultz was charged on Sept. 13, 2023.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.