Document reportedly shows Marine vet running for office was AWOL
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A former Marine running for state office in Pennsylvania was declared a deserter, despite touting his service throughout his campaign, according to a federal military document.
The document, obtained by The Scranton Times-Tribune, shows that former state Rep. Kevin Haggerty was absent without leave for two months from the Marines and ruled a deserter.
Haggerty, 44, a Democrat, is seeking election to the 112th state House district in Tuesday’s election against Republican Ernest Lemoncelli.
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The newspaper obtained the document Thursday from the National Personal Records Center after filing two federal Freedom of Information Act requests. The document is reportedly a "chronological record" of Haggerty's Marine service.
A spokesman for Haggerty's campaign, meanwhile, told the paper that Haggerty "has not had a chance to review this document and is unable to comment."
Haggerty has made his military service a centerpiece of his campaign, using a photo of himself in Marine uniform in campaign literature, according to the paper.
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On his official campaign website, Haggerty lists his service in the Marines from 1996 to 1998, and notes the "character of service" as "honorable."