Mountain View man charged with falsely impersonating military service in order to increase his pay

Federal prosecutors say a Mountain View man has been charged with falsely claiming to have been drafted into military service in order to obtain special compensation worth more than $300,000 from his employer.

Omar Naziry, 40, a former employee of a global security and aviation company, is charged with mail fraud and theft of government property, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California announced Friday.

Naziry’s unidentified employer had a policy of paying the difference to any employee who went on military leave. The policy introduced after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was intended to ensure that military service workers did not experience a reduction in their income, prosecutors say.

In 2016, Naziry claimed a pay difference, claiming he was abroad. Prosecutors say he sent the company false military orders and false statements about military leave and earnings.

He continued to receive differential pay over the next few years following claims that his secondment had been extended. In 2021, the company said Naziry exceeded the five-year differential pay limit.

In response, the company received a letter from an alleged army officer threatening the company with bad publicity if it cut off Nazirs.

“I strongly recommend that you reverse your decision or at least prepare a plan on how to mitigate the negative effects of this story,” the letter said. “I hope you will take timely action to avoid this PR disaster.”

Naziry faces mail fraud charges. Prosecutors say he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of mail fraud.

He was also charged separately with stealing government property to obtain $35,093 in housing benefits. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, prosecutors said.