'Fake' war hero allegedly posed as wounded Purple Heart recipient while stealing $81K from veterans group

A man's alleged deception as a decorated combat veteran came crashing down this week after officials revealed he had actually been discharged from the military for bad conduct and accused him of bilking $81,000 from a veterans group.

David Agtsteribbe, 58, of Long Island, allegedly claimed to have been awarded a Purple Heart while portraying himself as a wounded war hero.

He was arrested two days before Veterans Day, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Prosecutors...