Former N.J. veterans official expected to plead guilty

A former official with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is expected to plead guilty Monday to falsifying information to receive military tax exemptions, officials said yesterday.

William Devereaux, 64, of Laurel Springs, was arrested a year ago and accused of grossly embellishing his Vietnam military experience and lying about war wounds to collect disability benefits and the tax exemptions, authorities have said.

He was director of veterans programs for the state agency at the time of his arrest.

Devereaux has agreed to plead guilty to a theft charge related to his property taxes, a spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said yesterday.

The spokesman could not elaborate on details of the agreement, which could be withdrawn before Devereaux's hearing in Superior Court on Monday morning.

Devereaux's attorney, Dennis Wixted, would not comment on the plea other than to say his client had made full restitution of the money he owed.

Devereaux was arrested last November on charges of falsifying or tampering with records and theft by making bogus claims. Prosecutors alleged that he owed more than $40,000 in taxes to Laurel Springs for 2002 through 2008.

Initially, Devereaux vehemently denied lying about his military record and inventing Vietnam injuries, but later admitted he was no war hero.

"I am absolutely remorseful and sorry for ever diminishing the absolute honor and tradition of those great men and women who got those awards," Devereaux told a reporter in December. "If I could take it back, I would do anything."

He did not immediately return a message left at his home yesterday.

Devereaux began work for the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs in 2001. In 2004, Gov. Jim McGreevey appointed him director of veterans programs for the state agency. In that position, Devereaux helped soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Authorities alleged Devereaux falsified tax records to the state by claiming he was injured several times as a paratrooper and artilleryman in Vietnam. He also provided false information to quality for property-tax exemptions in Laurel Springs.

Devereaux reported he had received a Purple Heart, a Soldier's Medal, and the Bronze Star, but authorities said he had served as a payroll-distribution specialist in Vietnam for four months in 1968. According to the Prosecutor's Office, Devereaux was never injured and never received the honors.

Wixted said Devereaux, who retired after his arrest, had paid the $40,000 he owed in taxes.