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POW Network Illegally Accessing Government Records
WWW.FIREBASENETWORK.NET
May 2, 2006 Vietnam combat veterans [Name Omitted] and Gene Simes are currently under investigation by an organization devoted to exposing veterans who lie about their military service. The POW Network WWW.POWNetwork.ORG is a registered 501-3 corporation operated by Chuck and Mary Schantag and has been in existents for 16 years. The organization claims to not be associated with the U.S. government. Publicly the Schantags claim they get all of their service verification information under the Freedom of Information Act. But, privately, they admit they have “friends” in the DOD and VA that will provide them any personal information they request. [Name Omitted] and Simes are two of the organizers of a recent event held in Washington, DC; Operation Firing For Effect / WWW.VetMarch2006.Net produced to provide our former and current military families a voice in matters that affect them. Over the past year [Name Omitted] and Gene Simes have been the target of a campaign where adversary’s are trying to discredit their military service and derail their attempts to unite this country’s veteran in a common cause. Last week [Name Omitted] was tipped off by a friend that someone was trying to access his personal information from the DOD and VA, including Social Security number and medical records without his consent. According to [Name Omitted] this is a violation of his privacy and far exceeds the access granted under the Freedom of Information Act. According to a woman involved in the investigations by the name of Diane Weller, they have already captured [Name Omitted]’s Social Security number and are awaiting additional personal information on [Name Omitted] and Simes. Below is an email from Mary Schantag to Diane Weller in which she admits they have “friends” within the DOD and VA that are providing privileged information on [Name Omitted]. ----- Original Message ----- From: P.O.W. Network - Chuck and Mary Schantag Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 3:00 PM
Subject:
Re: Fw: berry Both [Name Omitted] and Simes are convinced their privacy rights are being violated. They both stated they had no problems with someone verifying their military service and awards. But, they feel unauthorized access to their Social Security numbers and medical records are way out of line. [Name Omitted] and Simes have contacted the POW Network and warned them if they acquire, distribute, or publish their personal information - both men will take extremely aggressive actions to shut down the POW Network and prosecute the people involved. In a Firebase Network telephone interview with [Name Omitted] and Gene Simes, both men were extremely angered by this situation. “These people are attempting to acquire information they have no right to. And apparently, the DOD and VA are assisting them,” [Name Omitted] said. “If the POW Network has to break the law in order to expose phony veterans, we don’t need them,” he added. Gene Simes said he resents the attacks on his character and exemplary military service in Vietnam. “These people are a disgrace and their overzealous attitude will be their down fall,” Simes said. [Name Omitted] and Gene Simes are convinced many legitimate veterans have had their personal information compromised by the POW Network and other such groups. “The Inspector General offices for both the VA and DOD have been made aware of the situation. We expect a full investigation of who is leaking personal information on veterans from the DOD and VA to private organizations such as the POW Network, Simes stated. “This is nothing less than identity theft,” [Name Omitted] added. [NOTE: [Name Omitted] and Gene Simes are both highly decorated combat veterans with multiple tours of duty in Vietnam. [Name Omitted] is the recipient of one Bronze Star w/combat V device (Awarded to him on behalf of President H.W. Bush in 1990), and three Purples Hearts. Simes also was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries incurred in combat.] The following emails were supplied by [Name Omitted].
I will have it when the records come back. NOTHING is blanked out when I receive the records from Mary and Chuck. ----- Original Message ----- From: ArmyAntPlatoon@aol.com Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 1:19 PM Subject: Re: Anti-Veteran Morons if this pow network is for real, they can get his ss number. the question is will they give it to you. i don't know how good of friends you have, but i heard you say you were former law enforcement. you can't get it? you are the person leading this investigation.
Already got it. ---- Original Message ----- From: ArmyAntPlatoon@aol.com Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 7:18 PM Subject: Re: Fw: Fw: Anti-Veteran Morons that would be cool if we could get his ss number off his military records. we could really check him out. TC they are an organization that have been doing it for eons. How,..I don't know. their entire website is set up to PROVE the phonies. www.pownetwork.org please, check it out. IT'S A GODSEND AND THEN SOME! ----- Original Message ----- From: ArmyAntPlatoon@aol.com Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 6:53 PM Subject: Re: Fw: Fw: Anti-Veteran Morons How can she get his military records without his consent? Isn't that an invasion of privacy? |
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