On Friday, I watched Roy Scott of Port Angeles stand in front of a federal judge in US District Court in Seattle. It was the last day of August 2007, a month in which 81 United States military personnel died fighting a difficult and draining war in Iraq.

Right after Scott admitted to stealing veteran’s benefits and wearing military medals he didn’t earn, he glanced around the courtroom. Perhaps he was relieved there were only two or three people sitting in the spectator seats behind him (he wouldn’t find out until later that one of them was a KING 5 reporter). I assume he hoped that few people would hear him utter the words “guilty, your honor” to such shameful crimes. Given the great sacrifices that military members and their families are making during this Nation’s difficult hour, I winced when I heard Scott admit to his crimes.

There are those who may ask if Scott deserves prison time (he faces at least a year and more than a hundred thousand dollars in fines when sentenced in November.) Some may argue that his crimes didn’t really “hurt” anyone and that at age 71 he’s too old to be locked away.

Federal prosecutors in Seattle are preparing to charge more cases like Scott’s. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts about these types of crimes and how harshly the courts should deal with the fraudsters. I’d especially like to hear from veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families, and recipients of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, two of the medals that Scott wore at public events