Long Island Man Charged With Stealing $81,798 From Veterans Group, Faking Purple Heart
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 11
Long Island Man Charged With Stealing $81,798 From Veterans Group, Faking Purple Heart
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 11
Summary
David Agtsteribbe, 58, was arrested before Veterans Day and charged with grand larceny and forgery-related counts after prosecutors said he posed as a decorated combat veteran and took $81,798.31 from a Long Island American Legion post.
Prosecutors said altered discharge papers let him join the Hampton Bays American Legion in 2021 and become its finance officer, then starting in 2022 he allegedly moved group money into his personal account for bills, Amazon purchases, travel and other expenses.
Military records cited by Suffolk County prosecutors show Agtsteribbe was discharged as a private in 1988 after about a year of service and a 1987 court-martial for stealing from another soldier, despite later claims that he was a Purple Heart recipient and retired lieutenant colonel.
The DA's office said he also used falsified papers to seek memberships in other veterans groups from 2019 and to try to avoid a $50 Southampton permit fee and obtain a handicap parking permit in 2023 and 2024.
Agtsteribbe faces up to 25 years to life on the top count as a persistent felony offender; prosecutors sought bail as high as a $1 million partially secured bond, and he is due back in court on Nov. 13.