‘Disabled’ Veteran Is Convicted of Fraud
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MIAMI — An able-bodied man who told the Department of Veterans Affairs that he was partially paralyzed and used a wheelchair was convicted Friday of fraudulently collecting 20 years of benefits, prosecutors said.
A federal court jury in Miami took only 12 minutes to find William Alfred Hitt, 71, guilty of 40 counts of mail and wire fraud.
According to testimony, the World War II veteran ran a successful painting business in the Port St. Lucie area and routinely climbed ladders and painted homes and office buildings.
But since 1975 Hitt had represented himself to the VA as a wheelchair user who could not move his right arm, right hand or right leg. Over the years, he collected $500,000 in tax-free benefits and medical expenses, officials said.
He could be sentenced Nov. 12 to as much as 200 years in prison.
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