State Representative Walt Blackman (R-7), a U.S. Army veteran and Chairman of the House Committee on Government, has returned to the Arizona legislature following a challenging primary campaign. He is now leading efforts to combat “stolen valor”—the act of falsely claiming military service or honors for personal gain.

At a January 15, 2025, Capitol Rose Garden news conference, Representative Blackman, accompanied by veterans, introduced House Bill 2030 (HB2030), which aims to strengthen penalties against fraudulent claims of military service. Key provisions of the bill include criminalizing false claims and imposing felony charges that vary based on the value of benefits received (or attempted) by the claims.

The bill makes it a felony to impersonate a veteran to obtain employment, government contracts, or veteran benefits. It targets those who use false veteran status to gain votes, campaign contributions, or political advantages. The charges range from a Class 4 to a Class 2 felony, especially when involving high-value benefits. The bill also mandates the removal of public officials convicted under this law. HB2030 addresses gaps in the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2013 and expands protections at the state level, including fraudulent conduct affecting state programs, elections, and institutions.

Representative Blackman emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “We cannot allow the honorable service and sacrifice of our military men and women to be undermined by deceitful actors.” He further noted, “The crime of stolen valor needs to be addressed.”

Blackman framed the bill as bipartisan legislation to protect veterans, highlighting that Arizona is home to over half a million veterans who deserve preservation of their honor. He explained that the 2005 federal law was deemed unconstitutional due to First Amendment concerns. And while the 2013 bill protected the valor of veterans from being stolen and used for personal gain, it lacked provisions for state-level accountability. “This bill strengthens the federal law,” Blackman asserted.

The bill has garnered support from various veterans’ groups and lawmakers who believe stricter penalties are necessary to deter individuals from exploiting unearned military honors. If passed, Arizona would join at least 18 other states that have enacted legislation criminalizing various forms of military impersonation, reinforcing the state’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its veteran community.

The legislative session began on January 13, and committees will likely hear testimony on HB2030 early in the session. Citizens are encouraged to become familiar with the bill and participate in discussions to ensure public trust.

Blackmon and other legislators crafted the bill in honor of Master Sergeant Orlando Jose Dona, USAF Retired. In 1952, Dona enlisted in the USAF as a Navigator/Crew Chief on the C-46 Commando and C-47 Sky Train troop carriers. He completed a tour during the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. Dona survived two aircraft crashes, once bailing out over the Mediterranean Sea. A decade later, he transferred to the USAF Intelligence Department to work as a programmer for the pioneering UNIVAC Computer System. Dona was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Force Commendation Medal during his service in the USAF. He passed away on June 8, 2024, at age 91 and was laid to rest at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

His son, Jack Dona, also a Master Sergeant (ret.), but in the United States Army, now heads The CONELRAD Group. This organization, predominantly based in southern Arizona, is comprised of mostly former intelligence and military officers. It focuses on investigating incidents of illegal election activity, employing their expertise and background in security and intelligence to ensure electoral integrity.

At the press conference, Dona addressed the crowd, saying, “This is about stolen valor, and the issue of people claiming military honors they didn’t earn is becoming more prevalent.” He continued, “This bill is the tool, if you will, that will hopefully help remove the tarnish and stain from our beloved chain of honor.”

After the press conference, one reporter asked Representative Blackman if there were any Arizona stolen valor cases. The question seemed like a blatant attempt to bait Blackman into talking about his primary with Steve Slaton, a Republican candidate for Arizona’s House of Representatives in Legislative District 7. Slaton faced accusations of misrepresenting his military service, claiming to be a Vietnam combat veteran and Cobra helicopter co-pilot. Investigations revealed discrepancies in his service records, resulting in calls from the Navajo County Republican Committee for Slaton to withdraw from the race. The NCRC cited concerns over dishonesty and its potential impact on party integrity.

Blackman clearly went out of his way to avoid mentioning Slaton, replying, “I’m not going to get into names regarding who actually did it in Arizona.” He added, “If I were to name names, people might think it’s a personal vendetta. It is not.”

Watch the entire press conference here.