An Altoona man who lied about his Army record has been given prison for health care fraud.
Federal prosecutors say 53-year-old Jeffrey Kepler, of Altoona, was sentenced Thursday to a year and a day. He'd pleaded guilty in September.
Prosecutors say Kepler had submitted a falsified discharge form to the Veterans Affairs medical center in Des Moines in August 2007. The form said Kepler had served between January 1977 and August 1979 and received medals for valor, including a Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Prosecutors say Kepler received more than $100,000 in health benefits as a result of his deception. He also filed for disability benefits but was caught.
Prosecutors say Kepler served only 27 days in the Army in 1986 and was discharged for not meeting medical fitness standards.
