Millbury Man Sentenced on “Stolen Valor” Charge

WORCESTER, MA—A Millbury man was sentenced today on charges that he wore combat decorations, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with combat “V,” that he did not earn.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division; Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Chief Gary Gemme of the Worcester Police Department, announced today that MICHAEL P. FRISOLI, 46, of Millbury, was sentenced by Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Hillman to three years of probation, after being charged with one count of wearing unauthorized military decorations under the Stolen Valor Act. FRISOLI pled guilty on May 12, 2010.

Between June and October 2008, FRISOLI purported to be a U.S. Marine First Sergeant who had earned multiple awards for valor in combat, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with “V”; Navy Commendation Medal with “V”; Army Commendation Medal with “V”; Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon; and numerous other individual and unit awards that he did not earn. During the relevant time period FRISOLI appeared at various public events in uniform wearing these decorations, posing for photographs with state and local officials. He also appeared at a Millbury Board of Selectman’s meeting on June 24, 2008 at which he received a plaque from the town in recognition of his service and his work for Toys for Tots.

“Mr. Frisoli’s actions are an affront to the men and women of the Armed Services who serve their country with honor and truly earn prestigious awards like the Purple Heart and Bronze Star,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Massachusetts State Police, and Worcester Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Fuller of Ortiz’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit.