thedrifter
04-09-09, 08:13 PM
Veteran Sentenced for Stealing from Vet Groups
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 @06:35pm
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY -- John Visci served in the Marines. Now, he'll serve up to 10 years behind bars.
"I think justice was done. He was very deceptive in everything he did," said Jim Bruck, Commander of American Legion Post 254 in Honesdale. "He hurt the post and veterans organizations"
Visci admitted to stealing more than $33,000 from Post 254 and the Wayne County Veterans' Center. Veterans say, he didn't just steal from them, but the entire community.
"He stole from children, from the elderly, from the unemployed, who stopped to pull a dollar out and buy a poppy," said Manny Mirailh of Hamlin.
The judge told Visci in court, he ripped off the American legion, betrayed fellow veterans, and it's time he take responsibility for it. Visci used the money to buy groceries, pay cell phone bills, even cover his child support payments.
"By taking that kind of money from an organization, it hurt everybody," added Bruck.
Visci apologized in court, asking for forgiveness from his fellow veterans.
"I didn't feel that he was sincere," said Buck.
Visci's friends had no idea he was stealing from them. The judge ordered him to pay back the stolen money. The veterans say support from other legions and the community have helped them move forward.
"We're strong," said George Glycenfer, past commander of the American Legion in Hawley. "We made it through the service, and we sure can make it through this."
Ellie
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 @06:35pm
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY -- John Visci served in the Marines. Now, he'll serve up to 10 years behind bars.
"I think justice was done. He was very deceptive in everything he did," said Jim Bruck, Commander of American Legion Post 254 in Honesdale. "He hurt the post and veterans organizations"
Visci admitted to stealing more than $33,000 from Post 254 and the Wayne County Veterans' Center. Veterans say, he didn't just steal from them, but the entire community.
"He stole from children, from the elderly, from the unemployed, who stopped to pull a dollar out and buy a poppy," said Manny Mirailh of Hamlin.
The judge told Visci in court, he ripped off the American legion, betrayed fellow veterans, and it's time he take responsibility for it. Visci used the money to buy groceries, pay cell phone bills, even cover his child support payments.
"By taking that kind of money from an organization, it hurt everybody," added Bruck.
Visci apologized in court, asking for forgiveness from his fellow veterans.
"I didn't feel that he was sincere," said Buck.
Visci's friends had no idea he was stealing from them. The judge ordered him to pay back the stolen money. The veterans say support from other legions and the community have helped them move forward.
"We're strong," said George Glycenfer, past commander of the American Legion in Hawley. "We made it through the service, and we sure can make it through this."
Ellie