Rick Strandlof: The paper trail behind Colorado's biggest stolen valor case

military medals thumbnail.jpg
This week's feature story, "Will the real Rick Strandlof please stand up?," explores the identities of a Denver college student who pretended to be a decorated Marine veteran. Although the Supreme Court overturned the Stolen Valor Act last month, effectively nixing any charges against him, Strandlof left quite a paper trail behind him.

Click through to see some examples.

Strandlof's Montana mugshot:

rick strandlof montana charge.jpg
In 1998, Strandlof, then known as Rick Pierson, sued Aromark Correctional Services for allegedly exposing him to a carcinogen during his stay in Montana's Cascade County Correctional Facility.
Pierson Aramark case.JPG

In 2004, Strandlof was arrested for stealing a gold Ford Explorer from Budget Rent-A-Car in Reno, Nevada. He later pled guilty.
Strandlof Reno Police Report

As Rick Duncan, Strandlof pretended to be a severely wounded Marine Corps captain decorated with military medals. When his board of directors at the Colorado Veterans Alliance grew suspicious of his back story, they reported him. Below is an example of the complaint against him:
Rick Strandlof Complaint

Click through for additional documents and photos.


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