Pittsfield man accused of posing as veteran for 30 years to win housing, benefits

Pittsfield man accused of posing as veteran for 30 years to win housing, benefits

SPRINGFIELD — James D. Sommers spent decades posing as someone else in order to collect 30 years worth of veterans’ benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Appearing Monday in U.S. District Court, Sommers declined to provide a bona fide signature on court documents. On advice of his lawyer, Thomas J. O’Connor, Sommers marked it simply with an “X.”