- Christopher Stultz, 49, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to one count of making false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The U.S. Department of Justice said Stultz claimed in early 2003 that he no longer had the use of his feet, prompting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to consider him 100 percent disabled and increase his monthly benefits.
- He has reached a plea deal, faces up to 18 months in prison and must pay back the money he fraudulently took; his sentencing date is May 6
A 49-year-old veteran has admitted to pretending he needed a wheelchair for 20 years to claim more than $660,000 in benefits he wasn’t entitled to.
Christopher Stultz, 49, of New Hampshire, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to one count of making false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs. He will be sentenced on May 6.
Stultz apparently went along with the scam while working at Antrim Elementary School. He worked as a kindergarten teacher and before that as a library media specialist, according to the school’s website.
When DailyMail.com contacted the primary school, a person at head office said they were ‘unable to comment’ but revealed he ‘no longer works at the school’.
On his social media page, Stultz is pictured without a wheelchair as he participates in various activities with his former students. In one photo he stands tall while dressed in a suit. In another photo you see him sitting with his students during the story time.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Stultz claimed in early 2003 that he lost the use of his feet. His claim prompted the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to consider him 100 percent disabled and increase his monthly benefits, according to the Associated Press.
Pictured: Christopher Stultz, 49, a veteran has admitted to pretending he needed a wheelchair for 20 years to claim more than $660,000 in benefits he wasn’t entitled to
Stultz sits in a chair while reading a book to his students during storytime
Stultz appears to be standing next to one of his students while dressed in a funny costume
The law firm also cited that Stultz received money to purchase and customize special cars.
Between January 2003 and December 2022, Stultz received a total of $662,871.77 in VA benefits he was not entitled to, the affidavit said, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.
Under the plea agreement, Stultz faces up to 18 months in prison and will be ordered to repay the $662,871.77 he fraudulently received.
Stultz’s deception was exposed when law enforcement officers “monitored him multiple times” while he was walking normally and without the use of his wheelchair.
In 2021, Stultz used a wheelchair while at a VA medical center in Boston, but after leaving the facility he stood up and lifted the wheelchair into his car.
He then drove to a shopping center and walked past several stores, prosecutors said.
A year later, Stultz repeated the same actions when he left a Manchester VA medical center, drove to the mall and walked around, the documents show.
Stultz stands dressed up in a costume in his classroom with his students nearby
Stultz was seen standing outside next to two people performing some sort of skit
According to the plea agreement, “Stultz admitted that he had the use of both feet and that he knew it was wrong for him to collect additional benefits” when confronted by police about his mobility.
“He also admitted that he did not need the VA-funded vehicles with the special modifications and that he had sold those vehicles.”
Prosecutors said several people who knew Stultz — dating back to the early 2000s — said they never knew he needed a wheelchair or other ambulatory aid for mobility.