A retired Navy commander was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for faking an injury in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon to steal from the federal victims compensation fund.
Cmdr. Charles Coughlin, of Severna Park, was given a Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal after he claimed he was injured by falling debris as he raced back into the Pentagon to help his fellow comrades.
Coughlin claimed that he suffered constant pain in his neck, headaches, weakness and numbness in his left hand and elbow. Coughlin’s claim to the victim’s fund allowed him to receive $331,000 in compensation.
Prosecutors said Coughlin ran the New York Marathon two months after the terrorist attacks and showed photos of Coughlin playing lacrosse.
