OK Senate takes on crooks claiming to be disabled veterans

Oklahoma City — A proposal aimed at reducing the number of thieves fraudulently claiming to be disabled veteran cleared the full Senate Monday.

Oklahoma veterans, who are 100 percent disabled, and their spouses are exempt from sales tax.

Senate Bill 456 orders the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to create and run a registry of 100 percent service-disabled veterans.

“Our state has approved legislation through the years meant to assist Oklahoma veterans who suffered 100 percent disability as a result of their service to our country,” said author of the bill Joe Newhouse, of Broken Arrow. “It’s shameful that people who never made such sacrifices will falsely represent themselves as a veteran to get benefits they are not entitled to. We believe this registry can help stop that kind of fraud.”

Senator Newhouse says there are about 13,500 100 percent disabled veterans in Oklahoma, but 31,000 certificates for tax exemption have been issued.

“Not only are these individuals who commit fraud dishonoring our true heroes, but they’re also depriving the state of lawfully owed sales taxes—funds that could have been used to help pay for core services like education and public safety.”

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.