[Adopted 3-24-2015 by L.L. No. 13-2015]
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the veterans
of the United States Armed Forces placed their lives on the line to
protect the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this nation. This Legislature
finds that some veterans went beyond the call of duty during their
service, risking their personal safety to perform heroic acts to protect
or save another person from injury or death. This Legislature determines
that many soldiers receive decorations or medals, which provide lasting
and public recognition of their heroic acts. This Legislature also
finds that some unscrupulous individuals falsely claim to have received
such decorations to obtain tangible benefits, money or other valuable
items. This Legislature further finds that such actions are disgraceful
and tarnish the accomplishments of those who acted bravely in the
heat of battle to protect their brothers in arms or innocent civilians.
This Legislature also determines that an individual who fraudulently
represents himself or herself as a decorated veteran in order to obtain
money, property or other tangible benefits should be subject to penalty.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to prohibit persons from
deceitfully presenting themselves as a decorated veteran in Suffolk
County for personal gain.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
COMBAT BADGE
A Combat Infantryman's Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat
Medical Badge, Combat Action Ribbon or Combat Action Medal.
PERSON
Any natural individual.
No person shall, with the intent of obtaining money, property,
or other tangible benefit, fraudulently hold himself or herself out
to be the recipient of a military decoration or any of the following
medals:
A. The Congressional Medal of Honor;
B. A Distinguished Service Cross;
Violation of any portion of this article shall constitute an
unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or
up to one year's imprisonment.
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article.