CAMDEN, N. J., Nov. 28  -- A New Jersey state official who claimed to be a decorated wounded Vietnam vet actually spent four months in country as a payroll specialist, prosecutors say.

William Devereaux, 63, allegedly received disability benefits and a tax exemption fraudulently, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday. Investigators say he collected $34,000 to which he was not entitled.

Devereaux, who works for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, was arrested Monday. He was listed on a state speakers bureau as someone who could talk about his combat experience and his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Devereaux allegedly falsely claimed to have received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Authorities say he received no decorations and was not wounded.

The Inquirer quoted him in a 2006 story, describing him as having been wounded twice.

"A smell will set you off, a certain song, shadows on a dark night," he said. In the story, Devereaux added, "You don't get rid of it. You just learn to live with it." (UPI)