Ex-VFW Commander Sentenced In North Kingstown Stolen Valor Scandal

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The former commander of the North Kingstown VFW post was sentenced Tuesday to nearly six years in prison after admitting she lied about serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and having cancer to collect benefits.

Sarah Cavanaugh, 31, of East Greenwich, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, forged military discharge certificate, and fraudulent use of medals, according to the U.S. Attorney’s District of Rhode Island Office.

Cavanaugh's conduct was described in court documents as being "among the more reprehensible seen in this district from a fraud defendant."

Cavanaugh, who never served in any branch of the U.S. military, used her job as a social worker at the Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center, to access person information and medical records belonging to a marine and a cancer-stricken U.S. Navy veteran, prosecutors said.

She used the information to create false documents and medical records in her name, claiming that she was an honorably-discharged marine stricken with cancer, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Cavanaugh used the fraudulent documents in various schemes to steal more than $250,000 in cash, charitable donations and services reserved for injured veterans.

According to court documents, Cavanaugh’s scams allowed her to be introduced to friends, charities, businesses, and organizations whom she then defrauded. Nine veterans’ charities combined to fund Cavanaugh’s travel to retreats, in-home care, gym memberships, physical therapy, paying electric bills, and provided donated gift cards for groceries and other essentials.

"Sarah Cavanaugh's conduct in the course of her scheme is nothing short of appalling," U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said. "By brazenly laying claim to the honor, service, and sacrifice of real veterans, this defendant preyed on the charity and decency of others for her own shameless financial gain. I am grateful that, with today’s sentence, she has been brought to justice and will face the consequences of her actions."

Cavanaugh also used false documentation to fraudulently obtain months of paid leave from two federal employee benefit programs based on her cancer claims.

Prosecutors said Cavanaugh also pretended to be a wounded veteran who served overseas, claiming she earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In reality, she bought replicas and publicly displayed them on a U.S. Marine uniform she wore at public events.

According to court documents, Cavanaugh also used her fake veteran status to secure a spot in an arts program at the University of Southern California. She got the spot through the help of a U.S. Army veteran she met through the Wounded Warrior Project.

In a letter to the court, the army veteran faulted Cavanaugh for taking "a spot [in the program] from another veteran who could have participated in the program and, ultimately, may not have committed suicide."

"Individuals who falsely represent themselves as decorated veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces degrades the service of the men and women who selflessly serve our country," Patrick Hegarty, a special agent in the Department of Defense, said. "Profiting from such an egregious scheme is an affront to the U.S. military's long-standing tradition of honoring and awarding its brave service members. Today's sentencing demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate allegations of stolen valor."

Cavanaugh was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered Cavanaugh to pay restitution to all fraud victims, totaling $284,796.82.

The court also ordered the federal government to reinstate the 261 hours of federal employee paid leave time they donated to Cavanaugh, so that actual veterans can receive those benefits.

Also read:

• Ex-VFW Commander Pleads Guilty In North Kingstown Stolen Valor Scandal
• Ex-VFW Commander Accused Of Stolen Valor Facing 4 Felony Charges
• N. Kingstown VFW Commander Resigns Amid Stolen Valor Allegations.