The State : Recruitments Called Phony

The American Legion’s top recruiter in California turned in more than 200 phony membership registrations, including ones for a former German soldier and people who were dead, according to a Legion report. Costa Mesa Post Cmdr. Robert Hanson could be expelled from the American Legion, said state Cmdr. Andrew J. Steffanic. A three-member Legion committee issued its findings in a 13-page report signed by Steffanic. Hanson, 67, declined to discuss the report, but said, “I am contemplating legal action.” The state American Legion awarded Hanson its Recruiter of the Year award after Hanson submitted 801 new memberships between July 1, 1987, and the 1988 convention. But the investigation found that only 18 of the supposed applicants paid dues by check, while Hanson wrote about 25 checks to the Costa Mesa post for $8,249.60 from his own account. The investigation began after national headquarters received inquiries from people wondering why they were receiving the American Legion Magazine. Hanson told state Legion officials that the 801 membership applications were stolen Aug. 26 when someone broke into his car.