A man was caught masquerading as a military officer to earn money as a security lecturer. After 12 years of deception, he pled guilty in a Maryland court to wire fraud on Monday.
Wiliam Hillar, of Millersville, Md. sold himself to employers as a seasoned colonel in the Green Berets. Hillar's resume claimed postings in the Middle East and South America, practicing psychological warfare and work with explosive ordnance. Based on that credential, he was able to earn jobs as a lecturer and instructor on counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, investigators said.
None of that was true.
"William G. Hillar lived a lie and based his teaching career on military experience he did not have, and credentials that he did not earn," U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said. "He was never a colonel, never served in the U.S. Army or the Special Forces, never was deployed to exotic locales and never received training in counter-terrorism and psychological warfare while in the armed forces."
Hillar did have some military experience: he served in the Coast Guard Reserve for eight years, where he achieved the rank of Radarman, Petty Officer Third Class.
Prosecutors said that Hillar was able to earn $171,415 based upon his phony credentials. He offered seminars and consultations under the business name "Bill Hillar Training." He also taught classes at colleges. At the University of Oregon, he gave seminars on human trafficking and international drug trafficking, the Register Guard reported. He was actually given an award from North Carolina's Elon University for his advocacy against human trafficking.
His most recent posting was as an instructor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. His students there helped to expose him, the Monterey Herald reported.
Hillar faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea, he has agreed to repay the $171,415 he made under false-auspices, and will perform 500 hours of community service at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries.
