Airman acquitted of filing false hurricane claim Published May 19, 2006 By by Staff Sgt. Kelly Ogden 16th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An Airman with the 16th Operations Support Squadron was acquitted of charges of fraud and making false statements by a general court-martial May 3. Senior Airman Philip Feldt Jr. faced two charges of fraud in conjunction official statements stemming from vehicle damages sustained during Hurricane Katrina. The accused claimed that his 1979 Jeep, was damaged in a flood on base during the hurricane while he was on temporary duty. When asked about the outcome, Lt. Col. Calvin Anderson, the 16th Special Operations Wing staff judge advocate said, “The process worked. We had a member claim he paid $6,000 for a vehicle he later remembered only paying $2,000 for. Fraud was suspected. At a court-martial, a panel of members found that, under the circumstances, a crime did not occur. The purpose of military law is not to gather convictions, but rather to promote justice and to assist in maintaining good order and discipline, and I believe that purpose was well served.” The first charge under Article 107 was for making false statements regarding his official claim. Airman Feldt’s claim form indicated that he paid $6,000 cash for his vehicle when, in fact, he paid only $2,000. It also indicated that his Jeep was not drivable because of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The second charge, under Article 132, was for filing a false claim. The charge stated that on or about Sept. 6, 2005, Airman Feldt filed a false claim by signing and presenting DOD Forms 1842 and 1844 for approval or payment. He made a claim against the United States in the amount of $8,540 for private property alleged to have been damaged and/or stolen. This claim was said to be false and fraudulent in an amount exceeding $500. “The accused did not purchase his 1979 Jeep for $6,000,” said Colonel Anderson. The charge stated that this detail was in fact known by the accused when he filed the claim. “When you file a claim and it seems suspicious, it will be investigated,” explained Tech. Sgt. Keveya Sturkey. “These claims are official statements, made in official documents. Member’s should remember this when preparing them and submitting them to the claims office. Not only is filing a false claim a crime, but when tainted by fraud, an entire claim can be denied, not just the questionable parts.” All false claims will be investigated, explained Sergeant Sturkey, NCO in charge of military justice. Nothing comes in the office without someone taking a second look at it. If a claim is made, petitioners must have the proper documentation to support that their claim is in fact legitimate.