A former New Boston resident who served on the Manchester Fire Department is being held on federal charges after allegedly lying about being involved in special operations missions during Vietnam and claiming he suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to collect benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.

According to the Department of Justice, which is prosecuting the case, Charles Kaczmarczyk, 59, and his wife, Martha Ann Kaczmarczyk, 62, both of Knoxville, Tenn., were arrested July 24 and charged with eight counts including conspiracy to steal, stealing public money, Social Security fraud, and making a false statement to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The indictment, filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bolitho, alleges that beginning in 2002 the couple began making claims to the VA and Social Security that Charles Kaczmarczyk was suffering from PTSD as a result of participating in several special operations missions. Specifically, Kaczmarczyk allegedly claimed that during Vietnam he was involved in the Mayaguez incident — a Marine rescue mission to free the passengers of a merchant ship captured by the Khmer Rouge. They also alleged that Kaczmarczyk said he had been an active part of the Iranian hostage rescue mission.

“Charles Kaczmarczyk did not actually participate in those specific Special Operations mission,” said a press statement from the Department of Justice. “He fabricated the information for the purpose of inducing the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration to award him disability payments and benefits on the basis of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.”

The Kaczmarczyks also allegedly “manufactured” Air Force documents saying Charles Kaczmarczyk was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Silver Stars, among other medals.

The couple has pleaded not guilty to the eight charges, and are being held pending their trial date of Sept. 26. Both are facing 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine along with restitution for the benefits they've received.

Charles Kaczmarczyk formerly lived on Bog Brook Road in New Boston and served on the Manchester Fire Department and as a security guard at the New Boston Air Force satellite tracking station. In 2000, he was arrested and accused of stealing radios from both the Pease Air Force Base and another base in Turkey, according to Union Leader reports. In July of 2001, he was convicted of one felony count of theft and given a one-year suspended sentence.

Kaczmarczyk was also accused of lighting fires at the New Boston tracking station, but those charges were dropped. He was, however, ordered to seek counseling by the judge who heard his case to determine if he had a problem with arson, the Union Leader reported.

Kaczmarczyk resigned from the Manchester Fire Department immediately following his conviction in Hillsborough County Superior Court.

- - - - - - - -

Nancy Bean Foster may be reached at nfoster@newstote.com.