'Expert' charged for lying about CIA career
He claimed to have been a "deep cover" agent for the US' Central Intelligence Agency and used that claim to become a guest television analyst on Fox News and a military consultant.
But prosecutors say Wayne Simmons (photo) is nothing but a liar.
On Thursday, a Virginia federal court charged the 62-year-old, a guest terrorism commentator on Fox, with multiple counts of fraud, AFP reported.
According to the indictment, Simmons falsely claimed to have worked as an "outside paramilitary special operations officer" for the CIA from 1973 to 2000, and used that false claim to attempt to obtain government security clearances.
Simmons did, at one point, become an intelligence adviser to US military personnel and the indictment claims he defrauded the government with his false claims.
He ended up working for three government contractors and was paid on the basis of "materially false and fraudulent pretences," the indictment said.
AUTHOR
Simmons also co-authored a spy novel.
In his author profile on Amazon, he claims to have "spearheaded Deep Cover Intel Ops against some of the world's most dangerous drug cartels from Central and South America and the Middle East".
His biography goes on to say he "was given the distinguished honour to serve as a consultant to the Bush White House to assist in the construction of the Military Commissions Act of 2006".
In the indictment, Simmons was also charged with making fraudulent representations in a real estate deal.
Prosecutors said Simmons could face up to 20 years in prison on fraud counts and additional penalties if convicted on related charges.
The government is also seeking restitution of US$175,000 (S$242,000).
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