VET GUILTY IN MEDALS CASE

William J. Richardson of North Fond du Lac was found guilty in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin yesterday for the crime of wearing medals during a public assembly back in 2002.
U.S. Magistrate Justice Aaron E. Goodstein made the ruling after a trial in the Milwaukee court October 31st. He will sentence Richardson on December 21st, 2006, according to Richardson's attorney, Calvin R. Malone of the Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin Inc.
Milwaukeeworld wrote about this case back in June, and you can read that report here.
In short, Richardson, a member of the Fond du Lac American Legion Firing Squad, was seen in uniform and wearing medals he had not earned at an event believed to have been associated with festivities on July 4th, 2002. In any event, Richardson was photographed wearing unauthorized decorations including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross. The picture caught the eye of John Streeter, another Fond du Lac legionnaire, who brought the matter to the attention of the authorities.
U.S. Attorney Steven M. Biskupic, never one to avoid a politically-charged case, seized the opportunity to charge Richardson, 60, with violating Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 704."

The penalty for the misdemeanor offense is a maximum $5,000 fine or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Richardson has no previous criminal record.

The political benefits for prosecuting a harmless dress-up soldier could last for years.

--Michael Horne

Update: December 28th 2006 -- Richardson was sentenced to serve one year of probation and to provide 30 hours of community service.