Teacher lied about receiving Purple Heart, degrees: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Lissa Lagasse (WCVB).

A Massachusetts teacher is accused of falsely claiming to have received a Purple Heart, one of the most respected military honors for injured veterans, and to have obtained advanced college degrees. She allegedly also had a service dog and a replica of the Purple Heart.

The issue? Authorities say she possessed neither the military honor nor the advanced degrees. Prosecutors assert she never served in the military at all.

Lissa Lagasse, 57, is facing multiple charges, including stolen valor, identity fraud, and reckless endangerment of a child, as announced by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office in a press release.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Per local ABC affiliate WCVB, officials with the Haverhill School District homed in on Lagasse’s alleged farce earlier this year when her service dog bit a student. That led to an investigation during which Lagasse’s lies came to light, prosecutors said. She claimed the dog came from the Wounded Warrior project but the organization told detectives it never heard of her. There was also no record of her serving in the Marine Corps as she claimed, according to prosecutors.

The teacher also told the district she had a Pd.D. in child psychology — which netted her higher pay.

Also baloney, investigators say.

More from Law&Crime: 4-year-old sent home from school ‘slobbering at the mouth’ with .29 BAC was given a drink by her teacher that made her feel sick: Police

Haverhill school Superintendent Margaret Marotta told local Fox affiliate WFXT that the district hired Lagasse as a high school science teacher in September. Marotta said the district put her on leave in March when her claims started to not add up after the dog bite.

“At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts, with no concerns reported,” Marotta said in a statement to the outlet. “As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families, and staff. We have no further public comment due to the ongoing police investigation.”

The defendant’s brother-in-law did not exactly give her a ringing endorsement in an interview with WFXT, although he did say he was surprised by the allegations. He said she had a replica of a Purple Heart sitting on the kitchen table which cops confiscated during their investigation.

“Most of the family I would have to say really doesn’t trust her that much,” Michael Lagasse told the outlet. “I’m not sure if I trust her that much but she tries, she tries to makes things work, she works hard, she just has a way of doing things that most of us are not aware of.”

Lissa Lagasse also worked with school districts in Lowell and Worcester, prosecutors said. She was assigned a public defender. Her next court date is scheduled for July 28.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Amnesia or Guilt? Man Claims Memory Loss After Woman Found Dead in Camper, Police Investigate

Background: The campground at Mac”s Park Place in Mazeppa, Minn. (Google Maps).…

Jury Delivers Verdict in Colin Gray Murder Trial: Father of Apalachee High School Shooter Found Guilty

Colin Gray, a father from Georgia, has been convicted of murder and…

Shocking Verdict: Mom Avoids Prison After Forcing Family into Lake in Bizarre ‘Worthiness’ Test

Left inset: Ruth Miller (Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: The boat…

Man Executes Estranged Wife Awaiting Divorce Finalization, Police Report

Left: Ronald Lowry (Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Richelle Lowry (Family handout/KUSA).…

Shocking Crime Uncovered: Minnesota Man Indicted for Cold-Blooded Murder of Woman in Her Camper

A Minnesota resident has been detained following the discovery of a woman’s…

Young Family Unwittingly Caught in Terrifying Home Invasion

An innocent Melbourne family has had to cower in their home as…

Airport Employee Faces Court Over Alleged Offensive Gesture Towards Jewish Children

An airport worker has faced court over claims he performed a Nazi…

Sheriff Reports: Woman Drives Through Accident Scene, Running Over Body of Man Previously Struck by Two Vehicles

Share In Texas, a tragic accident scene took a dangerous turn when…

Arkansas Tragedy: Man Faces Charges in Stepson’s Fatal Shooting

A man from Arkansas has been officially charged with murder following the…

Gainesville Man Faces Charges After Alleged Door-Kicking Incident and Assault on Woman

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities took Kelvin Lee Pritchett, 40, into…

Gold Coast Mother’s Urgent Appeals to Police Deemed ‘Lower Priority’ Prior to Her Tragic Murder

Police knew of “high risk” domestic violence complaints against a man weeks…

Shocking Incident: Pastor Allegedly Pushes Elderly Woman Down Church Steps, Resulting in Severe Injuries

Inset: Pastor Lorenz Roseman. Background: Surveillance video allegedly showing California church elder…