Update: How the Colorado Veterans' Alliance Exposed its Founder, Rick Duncan/Richard Strandlof as an Imposter

Rick Duncan, aka Richard Glen Strandlof, was exposed as an imposter by the board members of the disbanded Colorado Veterans Alliance, which he founded. As a recent Disabled Politico post detailed, Mr. Duncan/Strandlof fabricated a career as a Marine Officer, claimed to have been disabled by injuries received in Fallujah, Iraq, and even lied about how many fingers he had, claiming he'd lost one in combat.

Information released by the Colorado Veterans' Alliance reveals that Duncan was exposed by a group of volunteers from the Colorado non-profit and veterans' community who were invited by Duncan to work toward expanding the work of the Colorado Veterans' Alliance. While preparing resources and documentation to move CVA forward as a fully functioning non-profit, the group became suspicious of inconsistencies in Duncan's claims.

Following further investigation and a meeting with Senator Mark Udall's office, the CVA determined that Duncan was a fraud: He had never been a Marine Officer, did not graduate from the Naval Academy, was never deployed in combat, and never suffered battle wounds. His real name is Richard Glen Strandlof.

According to the CVA, " We promptly reported our findings to the FBI, who immediately opened an investigation. They requested we do nothing to alarm Mr. Duncan/Strandlof so they could continue to investigate any fraud claims. We (CVA) did officially request he stop engaging in any fundraising, and focus exclusively on the homeless shelter initiative.

"Yesterday, the FBI requested that we arrange a meeting with Mr.

Duncan/Strandlof, and not alert him to the fact that the FBI wanted to question him. At the meeting, an FBI Special Agent identified himself, asked him if his name was Duncan or Strandlof, in which he answered 'Both.' The FBI escorted him away for questioning, and later arrested him on an outstanding warrant in El Paso County."

Duncan/Strandlof advocated for veterans, particularly homeless and disabled veterans, for two years under his assumed name and using his falsified identity as a Marine Captain. His notable achievements included successfully pressuring the City of Denver to halt city-wide sweeps that negatively impacted homeless veterans.

Following Duncan/Strandlof's arrest, the CVA has determined that its name and reputation are irrevocably damaged, and the organization will disband permanently.