Reputed counter-terrorism expert pleads guilty
By Joe Gould - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Apr 9, 2011 6:29:08 EDT
Lecturer William G. Hillar entranced audiences as a globe-trotting, highly trained, retired Green Beret colonel whose attempt to rescue his daughter from kidnappers inspired the hit movie, “Taken.”
But it was not really his life, it was all lies.
Hillar, 66, of Millersville, Md., pleaded guilty March 29 to a single count of wire fraud in a federal court in Baltimore. As part of his plea, Hillar agreed to pay back $171,000 he made by lecturing universities, soldiers, and federal and local law enforcement agencies while falsely claiming he was a counter-terrorism expert and had earned doctorate from the University of Oregon.
He also agreed to perform 500 hours of community service at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries.
Read More...
