Military records of Lawrence official appear to be forged

By Russell Contreras, Globe Staff

Military records of a newly elected Lawrence School Committee member are littered with "abnormalities" and appear to be forged, Lawrence veterans affair director Francisco Urena said today.

The records submitted by James Stokes contain inconsistencies in font, jumps in rank, and claims of medals won while working in a military warehouse, Urena said. The National Personnel Records Center confirmed that it has no record of military service of a James Stokes with the same birth date and Social Security number, he said.

"I have concluded that there is no doubt [the record] is forged," Urena said.

Stokes, 65, has come under fire after the Globe reported that the military had no record of his service. During the November election for School Committee, Stokes told voters he had served 20 years in the Marines. A spokeswoman with the Marines told the Globe that they have no record of Stokes.

Stokes won a School Committee seat after edging out incumbent Greg Morris. On election documents, Stokes listed himself as a veteran.

Stokes did not return phone calls today.

Last week, Stokes said his lawyer advised him not to speak about his military record. He declined to give the name of his lawyer and vowed he would not resign from his seat.

The Globe also reported that Stokes served two short jail stints in 1964 and 1986, both after he was convicted of larceny and forgery. Mayor Michael J. Sullivan said the city attorney is investigating if Stokes can be charged with election fraud over submitted forged documents.

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