A U.S. Navy veteran was convicted of fraud Oct. 18 after the Veterans Administration said he exaggerated his illness. Based on reporting done by Seaborn Larson for ABC FOX Montana, John Hughes was found guilty on 20 counts, including health care fraud and theft of government money.
Hughes, who had been honorably discharged from the Navy in 2008 due to disability caused by multiple sclerosis that caused immobility of his limbs, said he often had good days and bad days according to Larson. His attorney alleged that although Hughes was sometimes about to walk without a cane and without of a wheelchair and even go to the gym from time to time, he had not been dishonest with the VA about his condition.
A VA investigation showed Hughes driving to appointments and walking without a cane, which Hughes' attorney said he was upfront about being able to do when his symptoms were not so severe.
Records from the VA corroborated the fact that Hughes had told the VA he could manage independently sometimes, Larson said.
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