Sheriff cancels deputy's commission of bailiff at center of Stolen Valor stories

By Tabatha Hunter | Benton County Daily Record

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009

BENTONVILLE — James Holland has been released from his duties as bailiff for Circuit Court Judge Doug Schrantz after Sheriff Keith Ferguson pulled his commission with the sheriff’s office Thursday.

Holland’s termination comes on the heals of a Daily Record report detailing his military career. In previous stories, Holland claimed to be an Army Ranger an a member of the Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets. Holland also stated he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star.
These claims proved to be false.
Before Holland was hired by the sheriff’s office, he submitted a type-written military biographical summary. In that summary, Holland claims to have been awarded the Silver Star, the Special Forces tab and the Ranger tab.
Holland, in fact, did not receive the Silver Star. He was not in the Special Forces and he was not a Ranger.
“I have never been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross or the Silver Star,” Holland previously told a Daily Record reporter.
“You do not see me wearing a Green Beret or Ranger tab,” Holland said of the claims for the Special Forces tab and the Ranger tab listed in the military biography provided to the sheriff’s office by Holland.
Holland was relieved of his commission after discrepancies were discovered involving information given to the sheriff’s office, Chief Deputy Don Townsend said.
“With the military career he had, I do not know why anybody would want to embellish that. It should have been enough,” Townsend said. “When an individual comes along and claims the same type of medals (of valor), it dishonors those people who actually earned them.”
“It is something you just do not do,” Townsend said.
Circuit Court Judge Doug Schrantz could not comment on the matter because it is a personnel matter, he said.
Wednesday’s stories can be found at www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72971 and www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/72954 .

Read tomorrow's Benton County Daily Record for all the details on this story!

The one bronze-colored star he possesses is what Harris now calls, “a small bronze star” — an indicator that he received a National Defense Service Medal again.

“There is nothing to indicate he had any Bronze Star,” Navy Lt. Cdr. John Daniels said. “That is not in his official record.”

Another misstatement appears in a “Professional Resume” Harris submitted to the state government, according to records. On that, he noted “Military Service Awards” and listed “Iraqi Freedom Medal.”

When asked about this, Harris said that although he never served in Iraq,

he got this medal when he was in the Naval Reserves.

Navy Lt. J.G. Laura Stegherr said the “Iraqi Freedom Medal” is not on Harris’ record of awards and decorations. While he did not list it, she said, he was given, “The Global War on Terror Medal.”

That medal is authorized for all service members participating in or serving in support of Global War on Terrorism operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and to a future date to be determined, according to noted requirements for the honor.

Harris also listed on his “resume” that he was awarded the “Navy Battle ‘E’ Medal.” Actually, he was given a “Navy ‘E’ Ribbon,” Stegherr noted.

Harris was in the Navy from July of 1992 until October of 1995, according to records. He ended his regular Navy career as an “Airman” with an honorable discharge with the narrative reason for separation as “Hardship.”

“I had a death in the family,” he said. “They let me go into the Navy Reserves from the regular Navy.”

Harris was also disabled during his military tenure.

As a result of Harris’ 10 percent service-connected disability rating, he said, he has scored preferential treatment for any government jobs. The 10 percent disability is from an injury to his left knee while he was on active duty, he said.

Harris is the founder of American Building Inspectors Corp., but said the company has not landed a single contract since its launch in late 2007 — despite a boost from the Florida Legislature.

On Nov. 11, 2008, the Florida Legislature added certification of service-disabled veteran-owned businesses to its list for special consideration by vendors, according to Linda McDonald of the Florida Department of Management Services Office of Supplier Diversity.

The OSD certified Harris’ ABI as the very first company eligible for first-tier referrals when the company meets criteria set in solicitations for bids.

Not only are these businesses given preference by vendors in state jobs, but the state provides certified minority businesses with a wealth of resources to help them succeed.

Nevertheless, ABI has not landed a contract yet, Harris said.

Although Gov. Charlie Crist had his picture taken with Harris when the act to help disabled veterans was signed, Sterling Ivey, a spokesman for the governor said the OSD, not the governor’s office, may have a comment about Harris’s lack of success as a bidder.

In regard to whether Harris claimed to the have earned military honors to the governor, Ivey said Harris probably did not contact the governor’s office. Crist signed the legislation on June 11, 2008, at Tyndall Air Force Base to take effect on Nov. 11, 2008, Veterans Day.

Torey Alston, executive director of OSB, said there is no guarantee that preferred treatment lands contracts.

“Mr. Harris was the first service-disabled veteran certified under this act,” Alston said.

Alston added that although certification does not guarantee business, it does expand opportunities for these business owners.

To receive the preferential treatment, said Steve Murray of Veterans Affairs, Harris had to show his for DD-214 and documents to prove he had a service-connected disability.

Harris’ American Building Inspectors failed to yet secure any contracts, but he has also started the “The Harris Institute for Young Entrepreneurs.”

Harris said recently that he is negotiating to obtain 20 acres of land in the Newberry area to start the school.

If this project becomes reality, that future school will have 100 percent paperless classrooms, generate its own electricity, and serve its own grown food to students, he said.