President signs Stolen Valor Act into law

Updated: Monday, June 3 2013, 06:09 PM CDT
WASHINGTON -- It is now a crime to lie about receiving a military medal in the hopes of personally or financially profiting.

President Obama signed the Stolen Valor Act today.
It revives a law that was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2006.

The new law is narrower, making it a crime to lie about being decorated with the intent to profit personally or financially.

That could include those who claim medals in order to receive veterans benefits, land a government contract or get a job reserved for veterans.

Violators could face up to a year in prison.
The original version of the Stolen Valor Act had been in effect for six years when the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
At the time, the law was written to say it was a crime simply to lie about military service and awards.

But the Supreme Court said the act violated a person's right to free speech.
The new version is more specific, making it a crime to lie about being decorated with the intent to profit personally or financially.President signs Stolen Valor Act into law

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