Navy Cross faker exposed after lies surface in court - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Navy Cross faker exposed after lies surface in court

An attorney in western New York has apologized for touting his client as a decorated war hero when in fact the former Marine he defended on reckless endangerment charges lied about his military exploits.

David J. Searight, 40, who was described in court as a Gulf War veteran and Navy Cross recipient, avoided jail time after pleading guilty earlier this year to firing a shotgun through the floor of his apartment in Tonawanda, N.Y., according to The Buffalo News. At Searight’s sentencing April 4, Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III showed mercy when defense attorney Robert Convissar highlighted the former Marine’s supposed battlefield achievements in seeking a lighter sentence.

The story sounded suspicious to one Marine Corps Times reader, who flagged Searight as a possible faker through the Hall of Stolen Valor website.

When Marine Corps Times inquired about Searight’s valor claims, Convissar, admitted he had made a mistake.

“While my client is in fact an honorably discharged Marine, he did not receive the Navy Cross,” Convissar said in a statement. “I misspoke in court at the time of sentencing. I have apologized to the court for the misinformation provided on behalf of my client.”

Convissar said he “unknowingly misrepresented the facts” in court.

“I deeply regret it, and I apologize to all United States Marines, active and retired, who serve and had served our country with honor, valor and with great personal sacrifice,” he said in his statement. “I do thank you for bringing this to the attention of the court and myself and hope you can accept my apology.”

Susan Bjornholm, a Niagara County assistant district attorney, argued before the court that Searight should receive two years of incarceration. But Murphy determined that “in light of the defendant’s whole life,” prison time was not warranted, the Buffalo News reported.

Searight, who was upset that his fiancée had removed her engagement ring when he put two rounds through his apartment floor, was sentenced instead to three years of probation and 25 days in a work program.

With Searight’s military service in question, Bjornholm said her office will investigate whether he could face future charges.

Murphy declined to comment.

Searight enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1997 and was discharged in 2005, according to Marine Corps Manpower officials in Quantico, Va. In addition to the Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for combat valor, Convissar told the court that Searight earned two Purple Hearts.

Marine officials could not immediately confirm whether Searight received those medals. His deployment information also was unavailable.