Gregory Bruce Allen, 68, was charged in U.S. District Court in San Francisco with one count of making fraudulent representations about receipt of military decorations or medals, according to KTVU.
The crime is a misdemeanor, and Allen was named in a document that typically signals the defendant intends to plead guilty. He is due in court March 25.
Over the course of two years, approximately $23,0000 was deposited into bank accounts controlled by Allen, authorities said.
If convicted under the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, Allen could be fined and face a year in prison.
Gregory Allen is the owner of San Rafael’s House of Steel gym and president of the Marin chapter of Military Officers Association of America (who gave him two weeks to turn in his DD-214) and has been lying to the residents of the California County about his military service. Allen has mentored and trained over 100 young men and women who have entered the military at his gym.
“Two public affairs officers from the Western Recruiting Region did an investigation and were unable to find any record of him serving in the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Alfred Lopez, public affairs director for the Recruiting Station San Francisco for the U.S. Marine Corps. “This is conclusive that he has not served (in the Marines).”
According to Marin Independent Journal, the investigation was conducted around the week of April 10 at the request of a reporter.
“I believe the only records of him serving in any military capacity were of a short enlistment in the Navy,” Lopez said. Allen served for less than a year before leaving due to a medical discharge.
Allen stated in a 2010 story that he did two tours of Vietnam and was in active duty from 1967 to 1974. He also claimed to have worked for the Marine Corps as a contractor and has a VA card with the Marine emblem on it.
When asked if he served in the Marine Corps Allen responded, “I’m not going to say anything. I’m going to let the lawyer answer these questions. We have some things going on we have to be sure of.”
