Clay County Man Found Guilty of “Stolen Valor” and $140,000 in Benefits Fraud

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota

SAINT PAUL – Today a federal jury convicted Mikhail Robin Wicker, also known as Michael Robin Wicker, 39, of Clay County, of wire fraud, mail fraud, using a false military discharge certificate, and fraudulent use of military medals, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Wicker spent years posing as a decorated U.S. Marine.  He falsely claimed to have been deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and falsely claimed to be a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal.  For years, he relied on these claims to obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). All of Wicker’s claims were untrue.  He never served in any branch of the armed services.

Wicker supported his fraud scheme using forged documents, including a counterfeit DD-214 and fake medal certificates, which he submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Relying on those materials, the VA provided him more than $140,000 in healthcare, disability, and education benefits.

Wicker was convicted following a one-week jury trial.  At trial, Marine veterans from Lima Company testified Wicker never served with them.  Agents testified that federal searches across Marine Corps, and Department of Defense databases confirmed there was no record of Wicker ever serving in the military.  Employment, pay, and state court records placed Wicker in Michigan during the years he claimed to be deployed to Iraq.  The government also demonstrated at trial that Wicker used his false claims and forged certificates to exploit and defraud several VA programs out of monetary benefits and free healthcare.

After a few hours of deliberations, the jury found Wicker guilty on all counts.  A sentencing hearing in front of United States District Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan will be set at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Officer of the Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Dilworth Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys William C. Mattessich and Bradley M. Endicott prosecuted the case.