Diploma mill degree recipients listed

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by carlosb, Jul 30, 2008.

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  1. carlosb

    carlosb New Member

    http://www.spokesmanreview.com/data/diploma-mill/

    Main article here:

    http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=15898
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 30, 2008
  2. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    As part of a background investigation for a security clearance wouldn't it be standard practise to verify the educational credentials of a prospective employee or contractor? How did these folk slip by such fundamental checks?
     
  3. carlosb

    carlosb New Member

    I wondered the same thing. Frustrating when you consider how hard many of us here are working to earn an accredited degree. Real shame.
     
  4. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    It could be that the folks were already cleared and simply wanted the degree for a promotion or for vanity. Then again, depending on the level of clearance, education wouldn't necessarily be confirmed.
     
  5. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    Wow, the article lists a married couple that used bogus "Texas A&M" diplomas to become officers in the military. I hope they throw those clowns under the jail.

    Name 'em and shame 'em - more power to this newspaper.

    --Fortunato
     
  6. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    The problem falls, that these people get promotions or pay raises and tuition reimbursements base on bogus credentials, with taxpayers dollars, and I have a problem with that.
     
  7. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    Carlosb,

    Good to see you here again! :D
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I have a TS/SCI from a noted government agency. I did have to list the last school I attended, but I think that was more for background checking than to verify credentials.

    Security clearances are about reliability. Checking/verifying credentials is an HR function.

    So, the fake degree wouldn't show up in the security check, but should in the HR check. But that's at first hire only. After that, there isn't anything that would have categorically stopped these people from buying, listing, and using their fake degrees.

    When I was an Air Force officer, all officer education records were maintained in one location. If an officer attained a higher degree, he/she had transcripts sent to be verified prior to getting the new degree placed on his/her record. To count, the degree had to come from an accredited school (or foreign equivalent.) This seemed to work, and I never came across an Air Force officer with a fake degree on record. (I was an education and training officer.)

    Enlisted records were updated by the education center on each base. The opportunity to slip something by was much greater. Despite this, I never came across an enlisted member with a fake degree on record. (But I did meet an Army officer with an MBA from Pacific Western. I always assumed it was an anomaly.)
     
  9. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I see couple of them has the degree from accredited school. Just curious why their name are in there? Such as University of Illinios at Chicago and Wayne State University.
     
  10. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    Because they bought the degrees and did not earn it. Or at least some did!
     
  11. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    The last time I had to get a security clearance (TS) was when I was on a federal drug task force, and I could swear I had to list every school I attended. However, that was nearly 20 years so I could be mistaken or the process might have changed since then.
     
  12. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Tekman: I see couple of them has the degree from accredited school. Just curious why their name are in there?

    John: The St. Regis people in Spokane were also very big in the counterfeit diploma business, and sold documents with the names of quite a few regionally-accredited schools. The listed names are presumably the people who bought counterfeits from the Randocks.
     
  13. ssteachn

    ssteachn member

    I saw my sister's boyfriend (who I hate) on that list. This should be good when I show her! :D
     
  14. D.Paul

    D.Paul New Member

    Funny this should pop up......I was busy filling out the e-QIP version of the SF86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) earlier tonight, and I most certainly had to list all schools attended as well as people who may have known me at these institutions within the last three years. Can't vouch for whether of not they verify accreditation.
     
  15. ssteachn

    ssteachn member

    I think the Feds only check to see if it is accredited. I imagine those government employees probably have fake degrees from real institutions.
     
  16. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!


    What is his name? And what happens to him? :D
     
  17. ssteachn

    ssteachn member

    I'll leave his name out of it but her reaction to the news was not a happy one. She actually wouldn't believe me until I gave her the directory to look under. When she saw his name the words I got over the phone where "that BS faced mfing lying scumbag." He was one of the ones busted with the .mil in his address. I know he went to OCS so he must have used it to obtain his commission. I have already forwarded this little nugget to his CO. :D
     
  18. MichaelGates

    MichaelGates Active Member

    You would be surprised what does not get checked in the military. I once saw a base online newsletter promoting a group called the National Consortium Staff College, a diploma mill. The mill was run by a private group called the United States National Defense Force Support Command (Separate) which goes around wearing military uniforms illegally. They would give you could get bachelor, masters and doctorate degree for just a few token FEMA online courses completed. That mill is now also trying to call itself Smith Gaither Christian University to avoid laws on degree issuing.

    Here is a link to a guy online using their credentials to call himself and expert.

    http://en.allexperts.com/q/Baptists-954/Christian-Bible-College.htm
     
  19. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!


    Dr. Fake, has outstanding "Two USAF Suggestion awards, 1976" were they awarded? All his degrees are accredited by HEAVENLY COLLEGE & SCHOOLS; and the rest of the profile are B.S. He stated he served 2 years in the Airforce. Well, maybe that is old school, but isn't the contract is 8 years? either 6 years selective reserve, 2 years IRR or 4 years active duty, and 4 years IRR?
     
  20. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!


    I just poked through the AKO's Database, and I found most of the .MIL list are Army currently or retired personnels. Some of them are currently working for the Government "DA Civilian." I randomly check with the Marine Online As well, and I didn't see any Marine. Which is SUPPER!!! HEHEHEHEH!
     

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