Bogus war hero pleads guilty
PORTLAND, Ore. – Following a KATU investigation a local "war hero" who was exposed as a fraud may be going to prison.
Earlier this year KATU On Your Side Investigator Dan Tilkin interviewed Lafayette Keaton, a Portland man who admitted to KATU News that his claims were bogus. Keaton said he won the silver star in Korea, and did three tours in Vietnam. However, Tilkin's months-long investigation uncovered the truth about Keaton’s military service, which included no time in combat and no Silver Star. Read about other false details uncovered in that investigation.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7, the 80 year old also admitted in federal court to stealing his dead brother's identity to get social security payments.
The U.S. Attorney's Office reports Keaton now must pay back nearly $140,000. In addition, authorities say he'll likely be sentenced to a year behind bars – in federal custody.
The Portland man has previously been honored around the state and country as a war hero. He had lectured school children about his valiant acts – telling his tales of heroism in Korea and Vietnam to students in high schools across Oregon including Milwaukie High and Redmond High.
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