[Strandlof] posed as Rick Duncan, a wounded Marine captain who received a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Strandlof used that persona to found the Colorado Veterans Alliance and solicit funds for the organization.
The ACLU said the Stolen Valor Act is fatally flawed because it doesn't require prosecutors to show anyone was harmed or defamed by the lie.
I cannot reconcile "soliciting funds" with "no one was harmed". But I am not a lawyer. Nor do I claim to be.
The ACLU apparently out lawyered the good guys.
Better legal arguments as noted up thread should have been used in front of the judge.
This jerk made money for himself and his pals thru lying.
Hopefully, this will be reversed upon appeal using better lawyers and better legal arguments.