Veteran who lied about Purple Heart status sentenced for stolen valor, wire fraud
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NEWBURGH, N.Y. (WTEN/WXXA) — A New York military veteran who lied about the displacement of 20 veterans and being a Purple Heart recipient has been sentenced to time in prison for wire fraud and stolen valor charges.

Sharon Toney-Finch, from Newburgh, New York, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Toney-Finch pleaded guilty in March to the charges. With the guilty plea, she admitted to obtaining about $85,000 through the Yerik Israel Toney Foundation by claiming to help veterans in need, when in reality she used donated money to tend to her own personal expenses.

She also admitted to lying about her military service, including claiming to have been injured in an explosion in Iraq and having received a Purple Heart and Valor Award, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the one-year and one-day sentence, Toney-Finch will serve three years of supervised release. She is also ordered to pay $84,000 in restitution and $85,000 in forfeiture.

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