Woman sentenced to 2 years in prison in bogus paralysis scheme with Army veteran ex-husband

Ex-wife ordered imprisoned in bogus paralysis case

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — The former wife of an Army veteran who bilked the U.S. government by faking paralysis to get disability benefits and avoid deployment to Iraq is headed to federal prison.

A judge in East St. Louis, Ill. sentenced 25-year-old Amy Rush of Glen Carbon on Monday to two years behind bars for her role in the scam. Her ex-husband, Jeffrey Rush, was ordered Friday to spend six and a half years in prison and to repay more than $300,000. Amy Rush must make $241,000 in restitution.

Authorities say the pair stuck to the story that Jeffrey Rush had lost use of his legs after a 2004 rollover crash just weeks before his Army company shipped off to Iraq.

Both pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — The former wife of an Army veteran who bilked the U.S. government by faking paralysis to get disability benefits and avoid deployment to Iraq is headed to federal prison.

A judge in East St. Louis sentenced 25-year-old Amy Rush of Glen Carbon on Monday to two years behind bars for her role in the scam. Her ex-husband, Jeffrey Rush, was ordered Friday to spend six and a half years in prison and to repay more than $300,000. Amy Rush must make $241,000 in restitution.

Authorities say the pair stuck to the story that Jeffrey Rush had lost use of his legs after a 2004 rollover crash just weeks before his Army company shipped off to Iraq.

Both pleaded guilty to fraud charges.