SD Marine in Brig for Sham Marriage

A San Diego Marine corporal is in the brig after being discharged for bad conduct after admitting she faked her marriage to receive housing allowances.

Two other marine corporals have also been discharged for bad conduct in connection to the case.

Cpl. Ashley Vice, who is a lesbian, and her girlfriend, civilian Jaime Murphy, pretended to be married to two male Marines, Cpl. Jeremiah Griffin and Cpl. Joseph Garner.

According to Vice, in previous media coverage, that she and her partner were forced to enter sham marriages because they couldn't afford to live off base without the extra money.

"So they still gave me a bad conduct discharge, but I got 3 months in the brig, so I’ll be out 2 1/2 months with good behavior," Vice said on her Facebook page. "Can't really complain lol. Thank you everybody for your prayers and support, love you all!"

As a result of their scheme, they got a $1,200 monthly housing stipend meant for married Marines to live off base.

All three Marines pleaded guilty to stealing from the government through fraud at a special court martial, 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley, a Marine spokeswoman, said Monday.

The military doesn't provide allowances for unmarried couples, Vice said.

Despite the repeal of the military's ban against openly gay or lesbian members, same-sex couples, even if married, would not be eligible for benefits because federal law defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The three Marines were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp Pendleton. In addition to bad conduct discharges, reduction in rank to E-1's, they face $5,000 in fines. The three will serve three months in the brig.