Clay County Man Charged with ‘Stolen Valor’ and Benefits Fraud

A Dilworth area man has been charged in a ‘Stolen Valor’ scheme to defraud the United States. 

According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, Mikhail Robin Wicker, (37) falsely claimed to have been a decorated veteran to obtain benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs by fraudulently claiming to be a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and falsely claiming that he suffered from combat-related injuries that qualified him for disability and other financial benefits.

Wicker made his initial appearance Wednesday in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby. According to court documents, Wicker falsely claimed from 2015 through 2020, that he had been a prisoner of war during deployment in Iraq in 2005 and that he suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device attack. 

According to court documents, Wicker submitted forged and falsified documents in support of his benefits application to the VA including a fraudulent Certificate of Discharge, and a false document purporting to be a Purple Heart recipient. 

Authorities say Wicker received more than $100,000 in veterans’ benefits. He is charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of false military discharge certificate, one count of fraudulent use of military medals, and one count of theft of government funds.