OXFORD — A Tate County man’s trial on charges he defrauded $24,844 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient has been rescheduled for March 29.
Charles Welshans has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is free on $5,000 bond. He had been scheduled for trial next week in Greenville.
The government alleges that Welshans lied when he claimed he was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in a mortar attack in Lebanon.
The government claims Welshans received VA benefits between 2004 and 2008.
The Purple Heart is awarded to those killed or injured on the battlefield.
If convicted, Welshans faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
