Long Island man allegedly lied about being a combat veteran, walked away with $81k: ‘How are these poor people now going to recover?’

Long Island resident David Agtsteribbe, 58, was arrested on Monday over allegations that he stole $81,798.31 from the Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924. Prosecutors argue that he forged military records to obtain veterans benefits and falsely claimed to have received a Purple Heart for his service.

Per ABC, prosecutors announced charges against Agtsteribbe for grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, offering a false instrument for filing, and falsifying business records on Tuesday, November 10, the eve of Veterans’ Day. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently held without bail.

“This case is about alleged fraud, theft, and the exploitation of resources that exist to support and honor those who have served our country,” said Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tienery. “They’re for our veterans. They are not for fraudsters.”

He pretended to be a veteran for years

Riverhead News-Review reports that Agtsteribbe enlisted in the Army in 1986 but was court-martialed after stealing money from another soldier. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five months’ confinement before receiving a bad-conduct discharge. Agtsteribbe officially left the military in 1988, having only attained the rank of private.

Investigators argue that Agtsteribbe had been falsifying military documents since 2019 to obtain veterans’ benefits. He reportedly claimed to have been a Lieutenant Colonel, a prisoner of war, and a recipient of two Purple Hearts: one for his service with the elite Combat Applications Group in Panama, and another for injuries sustained in Iraq when he was protecting a United States Senator.

According to CBS, Agtsteribbe used fabricated documents to enter the Hamptons Bays American Legion in 2021 and was appointed finance officer. For almost four years, he allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars from the organization and used the money for personal expenses, including Amazon purchases, cable and electric bills, and streaming services.

During that time, Agtsteribbe attained numerous awards and recognitions for his alleged military service. In 2023, Brookhaven Town even declared November 5 as Lieutenant Colonel Agtsteribbe Day.

“I feel bad for the American Legion of Hampton Bays because they do a lot of things for the community,” said Simone Scotto, a Hampton Bays restaurant owner who was set to host an event that promoted Agtsteribbe. “How are those poor people now going to recover from this?”

Prosecutors state that Agtsteribbe had two prior jail sentences for grand larceny. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

“There is something particularly despicable about fabricating a military record and claiming honors you have never earned,” said Teirney. “Our veterans earned their honors through sacrifice and service. This defendant allegedly exploited those sacrifices for his own selfish gain. It is a shameful abuse of trust, and one that we will prosecute.”