Top Ukraine "Volunteer" Soldier Promoted by Adam Kinzinger and Malcolm Nance EXPOSED as Fraud

Top Ukraine "Volunteer" Soldier Promoted by Adam Kinzinger and Malcolm Nance EXPOSED as Fraud


James Vasquez, the self-proclaimed chief strategy officer for Ripley’s Heroes and a supposed soldier for the Ukrainian Army, has been accused of stolen valor, the practice of falsely claiming military service or awards.

Vasquez, who claims to have fought on the front lines of the war in Ukraine and has more than 400,000 Twitter followers, was exposed by Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, a soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who accused him of lying about his military service.

Ashton-Cirillo posted a tweet accusing Vasquez of falsely claiming military valor, stating that he “confirmed to [her] in writing that he does not and has not had a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

She added that “James Vasquez is not and has not been in ZSU,” referring to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ashton-Cirillo went on to detail the rigorous process of joining the ZSU, which involves background checks, physical and intellectual tests, and a contract for either three years or until the end of mobilization.

According to Ashton-Cirillo, there are no special contracts with ZSU units, only Legion Units. She clarified that while Vasquez may have been at the front, he was not a member of the military. She also stated that Vasquez couldn’t legally go on a mission since he wasn’t in the ZSU.

Vasquez had previously held fundraisers for Ripley’s Heroes and engaged in a Sights of Freedom North American Tour in October 2022, The Post Millennial reports. His LinkedIn profile still shows that he is the chief strategy officer for Ripley’s Heroes and a soldier for the Ukrainian Army.

Stolen valor is a criminal offense in some countries, including the United States, where it is punishable by fines and imprisonment.


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