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DENVER (AP) ' A federal appeals court in Denver has ruled that a federal law making it illegal to lie about being a war hero is constitutional and making such false statements is not protected free speech.
The 10th Circuit's ruling reverses a federal judge's decision that the Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment. But Friday's ruling goes against a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
The U.S. Supreme Court has already decided to review the California case and rule on the constitutionality of the federal law.
The Colorado case involves a man who was arrested after claiming he was wounded in Iraq as a Marine and had received military medals. His lawyers have acknowledged that's false.
Courts in Georgia and Missouri have considered similar cases.
