Court Rules Camp Pendleton Worker Defrauded Marine Corps

CAMP PENDLETON (AP) — A federal court has ruled a disgruntled Camp Pendleton worker defrauded the Marine Corps for hazardous-duty pay after convincing military officials that treated sewer water is poisonous.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports Sunday the base's former recycled water manager, Scott Stanford, insists splashes of the water irritated his eyes, nose and throat.

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, which arbitrates disputes between civil servants and federal supervisors, ruled in September that in 2014 Stanford filed four false attendance slips claiming $1,600 in extra pay after getting doused by what he said were hazardous chemicals.

Last year, base leaders gave Stanford a last-chance to spare his job in exchange for admitting guilt for the purported fraud. He refused and they fired him.

Stanford, who worked at the base for 37 years, says he's mulling whether to file an appeal before the deadline on Tuesday.