San Francisco Dem. activist, 78, is accused of faking his own DEATH and fleeing to Mexico 'after fundraising $1.3M from cops and firefighters': Admits lying that he's a military hero too

A San Francisco activist has revealed that news of his death was fake and he has been residing in Mexico over the last six weeks. 

Richard Parina, 78, who claimed to be a retired Army brigadier general with three Purple Hearts, supposedly died in January as a result of lingering injuries suffered during the Persian Gulf War. 

But he has now confirmed to the San Francisco Standard that he is actually alive, sharing a picture of himself cleanly shaven and wearing the t-shirt of a neighborhood cleanup organization.

Parina claimed it was his 'adopted nephew' who spread rumors of his death after he raised $1.3million for a political action committee. 'If he just kept his big mouth shut, nobody would have paid any attention,' he said.

But he allegedly sent an email to an associate in San Francisco earlier this week to say he was on his death bed in San José del Cabo but 'the golf and food is super'. 

San Francisco activist Richard Parina, 78, has revealed news of his death was fake and he has been residing in Mexico over the last six weeks

He claimed to be a retired Army brigadier general with three Purple Hearts, and supposedly died in January as a result of lingering injuries suffered during the Persian Gulf War

But he confirmed to the San Francisco Standard that he still alive in San Jose Del Cabo (pictured) and shared a picture of himself cleanly shaven and wearing the t-shirt of a neighborhood cleanup organization

Parina was last seen publicly on January 17, when he attended a District 9 supervisorial debate at the Mission District bar El Rio.

At the meeting, he said he no longer had time for social media and handed out cards with his direct contact information, and that night his accounts on X and NextDoor disappeared. 

The following day 'Richard Francis' posted on X: 'My uncle, Brigadier General (ret) Richard Parina died on January 17, 2024, the 33rd Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, where he commanded the 175th Forward Supply Battalion, attached to the 1st Armored Division. He was awarded his third Purple Heart and second Bronze Star.'

There was an outpouring of condolences and Supervisor Matt Dorsey praised Parina in a speech during a Board of Supervisors meeting.

But Parina revealed he has been living in Mexico and blamed the fake news on his nephew.

'He created all these characters. It’s crazy, man. Out of thin f***** air,' he said. 

Parina added that he has no plans to return to San Francisco and claimed his nephew, who is an alcoholic, impersonated his wife and pretended to be a widow. 

He insisted he did not know how many people thought he was dead until a story was published about him last week.

The San Francisco Standard alleged that nearly every verifiable claim Parina made about his life was fabricated, including his supposed 21 military medals.

He insisted he was a Vietnam veteran and wore a veterans ballcap at public meetings.

But he finally admitted he lied about growing up in the city, going to war in Vietnam and Iraq, and receiving multiple Purple Hearts and a Silver Star.

'I f***** up and stole f******valor,' Parina said. 'And I put it on my hat, and I’m as sorry as I’ve ever been in my whole f****** life that I did that.'

There were question marks about his claim of raising $1.3million for a group called the Catholic Alumni PAC.

He had said the money would be used support local candidates. But he later revealed he had 'no idea' what happened to the money before revealing he used some to buy medication while he was unwell.

Parina claimed it was his 'adopted nephew' who spread rumors of his death after he raised $1.3million for a political action committee 

San Francisco board of supervisors member Matt Dorsey (center), whose campaign Parina (third from left) supported as a volunteer, was shocked to learn of the allegations

Parina was often seen joining volunteer groups to clean up litter from the streets of San Francisco, and backed the recall of progressive DA Chesa Boudin

The donations stemmed from retired police and fire officials, a North Beach restaurateur and former tech execs.

Parina was confronted with the holes in his claims and he replied: 'I don’t give a f*** what you write.

'If you don’t think I’m credible, I don’t give a s***. I’m trying to give you an accurate portrayal of what the f*** happened.'

Supervisor Dorsey said he was glad to know Parina is alive despite being 'saddened' by the ordeal. 

'If he ever needs support or anything, it’s still there,' he said. 'He didn’t need to make anything up to be appreciated in the community he worked hard to serve.'

But Anthony Anderson, who served in the military and works to expose those who lie about their military records, pointed to the damage caused by Parina.

The person claiming to be Parina's nephew slammed the Standard's investigation

'When someone falsely claims to have served in the military or exaggerates their accomplishments, it not only undermines the sacrifices made by real veterans but also cheapens the value of the honors and awards they have earned,' he said. 

'These awards are some of the highest honors a service member can receive, and they represent significant sacrifices made in service to their country.

'By falsely claiming these awards, Parina not only disrespected the veterans who have earned them but also took advantage of the public’s trust and admiration for those who have served.'

Before his fake death, Parina was often seen joining volunteer groups to clean up litter from the streets of San Francisco.

He was also an outspoken backer for the successful 2022 campaign to recall progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who was accused of going soft on crime.