HARTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities have arrested a 52-year-old man accused of inflating his military service record while operating a Livingston County nonprofit that provided service dogs to veterans. Kirk Lanam, the founder of the Veteran Service Dogs Organization, was taken into custody by Oakland County law enforcement on multiple felony charges, including embezzlement from a vulnerable adult.
Lanam, who has been booked into the Oakland County Jail, is accused of exploiting the financial affairs of an elderly Korean War veteran. According to investigators, Lanam took control of the veteran’s finances, which led to substantial financial mismanagement. Former volunteers and supporters of the Veteran Service Dogs Organization revealed that the nonprofit had struggled to pay its bills during the time Lanam allegedly handled the financial responsibilities.
A second suspect, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, is expected to be informed of a warrant for her arrest in connection with the case. She will reportedly be allowed to turn herself in to authorities.
The charges against Lanam were authorized by the Office of the Michigan Attorney General, which will oversee the prosecution due to the case’s involvement in multiple counties. The investigation, which spans several months, has raised concerns about Lanam’s conduct both within the nonprofit and his treatment of vulnerable individuals.
The Veteran Service Dogs Organization, which was intended to assist veterans by providing service animals, has come under scrutiny following the allegations. Investigators are continuing to examine the nonprofit’s financial records, as well as any potential victims who may have been affected by Lanam’s actions.
The case is ongoing, and law enforcement officials are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.