An Army veteran from Cibolo was sentenced in federal court today to 27 months in prison for lying about the extent of his injuries and collecting total disability benefits, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Mack Cole, Jr, 55, was filmed by in Veterans Administration inspectors cutting the lawn behind his home, pushing the lawnmower up a hill, and bending down to pick up debris.
Cole had claimed that he was 100% disabled and could not walk, let along mow a yard.
Cole, who appeared in court in a motorized wheelchair, was injured in a training exercise suffered during 12 years as a Master Sergeant in the National Guard, which included a deployment to Kosovo.
While Assistant U.S. Attorney Bud Paulissen didn't dispute that Cole was injured, he said the veteran lied about his disability to collect more benefits than he was entitled to.
"Mack Cole stole from people who needed it most," Paulisson said, a reference to people who lost limbs and suffered true 100% disabilities.
Cole told a VA investigator that he 'cannot stand without help and cannot walk without help.'
In addition to serving his prison sentence, a judge ordered Cole to repay $434,594 in total disability payments he falsely collected.
Cole has also been thrown out of the Paralyzed Veterans of America when they learned of his fraud.